ICC Champions Trophy: Six records await Virat Kohli against New Zealand

Indian cricket team stalwart Virat Kohli is on the brink of achieving more milestones in the ICC Champions Trophy match against New Zealand on Sunday.

Kohli currently shares the record for the most ODI centuries against New Zealand with six, alongside Ricky Ponting and Virender Sehwag.

In the upcoming match in Dubai, Kohli has the opportunity to score his seventh century against the Kiwis, thereby surpassing Ponting and Sehwag to hold the record outright.

Both India and New Zealand have secured their spots in the semi-finals, making this match crucial for determining the top position in Group A.

New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell has been declared fit to play after missing the previous game due to illness, while India's captain Rohit Sharma is recovering well from a hamstring injury sustained during the match against Pakistan, Reuters reported.

The match is scheduled to take place in Dubai, as India's matches are being held there instead of in host nation Pakistan owing to security concerns.

Kohli's performance in this match could not only secure India's top spot in the group but also etch his name in the record books with the most ODI centuries against New Zealand.

Here's a breakdown of the records he is poised to surpass:

1. Most runs for India in Champions Trophy

Kohli has amassed 651 runs in 15 Champions Trophy matches. With just 15 more runs, he will overtake Sourav Ganguly's tally of 665 runs. Scoring 51 runs will see him surpass Shikhar Dhawan's 701 runs, making him India's highest run-scorer in the tournament's history.

2. Overall leading run-scorer in Champions Trophy

The current record is held by Chris Gayle with 791 runs. Kohli is 141 runs short of this mark. A substantial innings against New Zealand could propel him to the top of this list.

3. Most runs against New Zealand in ODIs

Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most ODI runs against New Zealand by an Indian, with 1,750 runs in 42 matches. Kohli has accumulated 1,645 runs in 31 matches and requires 106 runs to surpass Tendulkar's record.

4. Most ODI centuries against New Zealand

Kohli, along with Virender Sehwag and Ricky Ponting, has scored six ODI centuries against New Zealand. A century in the upcoming match would make him the sole record-holder for the most centuries against the Kiwis.

5. Most fifties in ICC tournaments

Kohli has registered 22 fifty-plus scores in ICC tournaments. One more half-century will see him equal Sachin Tendulkar's record of 23, and two will make him the outright leader.

6. Most catches by an Indian fielder in ODIs

With 154 catches, Kohli is fourth on the list of Indian fielders with the most ODI catches. Three more catches will see him surpass Mohammad Azharuddin's 156 catches, moving him to third place.

Kohli's consistent performance and ability to break records have solidified his status as one of cricket's all-time greats. Fans and cricket enthusiasts will keenly watch the upcoming match to see which milestones he achieves next.