Virat Kohli scripts history in Auckland, becomes first batter to achieve this feat

Virat Kohli (AP Photo)

Virat Kohli added another remarkable milestone to his illustrious career on Wednesday, becoming the first batter in ODI history to score 13,000 runs while batting at the No. 3 position.The former India captain achieved the landmark during the first ODI against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland, further strengthening his standing as one of the greatest one-day batters of all time.Kohli reached the milestone in a category dominated by some of the biggest names in cricket. Before him, only Sachin Tendulkar had crossed the 13,000-run mark at a single batting position in ODIs, having scored 13,685 runs while batting at No. 2.

Kohli now leads the list of highest run-scorers at No. 3 with exactly 13,000 runs at an outstanding average of 61.61. Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting is second on the list with 12,662 runs at 42.48, followed by Sri Lanka great Kumar Sangakkara, who accumulated 9,747 runs at 44.71.South Africa's Jacques Kallis occupies fourth place with 7,774 runs, while New Zealand's Kane Williamson is fifth with 6,504. Pakistan's Babar Azam and England's Joe Root complete the list of the top seven run-scorers at the position.

Most runs at No. 3 in ODI cricket

Kohli returned to India's ODI playing XI for the series opener alongside

Rohit Sharma

and KL Rahul, for the five-match ODI series.India, meanwhile, made a strong start with the ball after captain

Shubman Gill

elected to bowl first. The visitors dismissed New Zealand for 185 in 40.2 overs, with Arshdeep Singh claiming four wickets, Gurnoor Brar taking three and Anshul Kamboj picking up two.Kohli also made his presence felt in the field, taking a spectacular one-handed catch to dismiss Nathan Smith off Kamboj's bowling.