How Virat Kohli got to the magical 14,000 runs club

Virat Kohli struck the pose, and watched in awe the ball’s untrammelled journey to the fence past the cover region. A content smile spread, as the electronic scoreboard blinked: 14,000 ODI runs. It could not have been a deliberate act, but it was fitting he rang in his milestone moment with a stroke that has defined him. The Kohli cover drive. A stroke of standalone glitter. He might not be the most graceful essayer of the shot, not the most powerful, natural or audacious either. But few have executed that shot with as much energy. This stroke embodies the word intent that Kohli often dwelled upon during his captaincy days.
India vs Pakan Match LIVE Cricket Score Online Updates: Watch Here
It’s a stroke that he had acquired than he was born with. With his bottom-hand dominant grip, the shot is filled with dangers. But the key, when he is driving fluently, is that he makes the contact as close to the body as possible. The alignment of the body is artful. Still head, upper body leaning towards his left toes, the bat coming down in a sweet arc. He once detailed the mechanics of it. “When you’re driving on the up, you need to make sure that you are connecting with the ball in a way that you can see the ball bounce in front of you before heading out in the outfield. The ball should ideally bounce around two feet in front of you. That’s when you know that you have actually connected very well and you’re in control of the drive. If it goes up in the air, then more often than not, it’s just a risky shot that came off.” This one was not risky, but flowed from his bat like a beautiful song.
Watch the shot here:

👑
Breaking records! @imVkohli has become the quickest at 14,000 runs in ODI cricket, yet another milestone has been conquered! 🔥#ChampionsTrophyOnJioStar 👉 🇮🇳 🆚 🇵🇰 #INDvPAK | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star… pic.twitter.com/IHGhRJED1B
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 23, 2025
And with it, Kohli reached 14,000 ODI runs from 63 innings fewer than his idol Sachin Tendulkar. The maestro got there from 350 innings, also against Pakan, also in February. And 19 years later, the heir to his throne overtook yet another ODI milestone in the most fitting way possible.