Mission 2026: Three records that Virat Kohli can break in 2026

In 2026, Kohli aims to achieve three significant milestones: entering the IPL '9,000' club, overtaking Kumar Sangakkara’s 28,016 international runs, and reaching 15,000 ODI runs.

Here are the three records that Virat Kohli can break in 2026. Image | IPL

For Virat Kohli the2026 will be less about a "comeback" and more about a calculated "climb." Having recently anchored Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to their historic maiden title in 2025, the 37-year-old maestro enters the new year with three specific, non-negotiable targets etched into his schedule. Here are the three records that Virat Kohli can break in 2026.

1. The ‘9,000’ club in IPL

For nearly two decades, the IPL has been Kohli’s backyard, but 2026 offers him the chance to enter a stratosphere where no other human resides.

Currently perched at 8,661 runs the RCB talisman needs just 339 runs to become the first batter in history to breach the 9,000-run mark.

While others are struggling to maintain longevity, Kohli has defied the aging curve, smashing over 600 runs in each of his last three seasons.

With RCB entering the season as defending champions under the leadership of Rajat Patidar, the "King" is expected to reach this peak by mid-April. In a league defined by shifting loyalties, Kohli doing it for a single franchise adds a layer of mythos that may never be replicated.

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2. Overtaking Kumar Sangakkara

The first "domino" is expected to fall as early as January 11 in the opening ODI against New Zealand. Kohli currently sits on 27,975 international runs (Tests, ODIs, and T20Is combined). He is a mere 42 runs away from overtaking Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara (28,016) to become the second-highest run-scorer in the history of all international cricket.

By the time he hits his first boundary in Vadodara, he will likely be just a few swings away from claiming the silver medal on the all-time list.

Once Sangakkara is surpassed, only one name will remain above him: Sachin Tendulkar.

While Tendulkar’s 34,357 runs remain a distant peak, Kohli’s ascent to the No. 2 spot cements his status as the greatest multi-format accumulator the game has ever seen.

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3. The 15,000-mark in ODIs

In the 50-over format, a game Kohli has mastered with surgical precision, a monumental number looms: 15,000.

Currently standing at 14,557 runs he requires 443 runs to join Tendulkar as the only other player to cross this threshold.

India is scheduled to play roughly 16 to 18 ODIs in 2026, providing Kohli with an ample runway to reach the milestone.

Given his current form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he recently notched up a century for Delhi, the hunt for 15k is essentially a "when," not an "if." Joining the 15,000-club would be the ultimate tribute to his idol, proving that the apprentice has truly become a master of the chase.

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