Virat Kohli overtakes Ricky Ponting to enter all-time top five in matches played

Virat Kohli broke Ricky Ponting’s long-standing record on 18 June 2026, becoming the fifth-most capped player in international cricket history.

What happened?

Kohli reached the milestone in the second ODI against England at Lord’s, playing his 561st international match. The Indian captain moved one game clear of Ponting’s total of 560 caps, placing him behind only Sachin Tendulkar, Mahela Jayawardena, and Sanath Jayasuriya. Kohli’s record now reads 561 matches across all three formats-Tests, ODIs, and T20Is-since his debut in August 2008.

How did the landmark arrive?

Kohli batted for 65 off 66 balls before Jofra Archer broke through with a back-of-a-length delivery. Archer’s ball lifted awkwardly off the pitch, and Kohli’s mistimed pull flew straight to Adil Rashid at third man. Before that dismissal, Kohli had rebuilt India’s innings from 34 for 2, adding 60 with Rohit Sharma and 67 with Shreyas Iyer. His half-century also drew him level with Viv Richards for the second-most fifty-plus scores by any batter against England in ODIs-14 apiece.

Why it matters for Virat Kohli

The record extends Kohli’s reputation for durability. At 37 years old, he has played more than 560 matches and scored over 28,000 international runs. Only Tendulkar (664) now sits above him on the all-time list. The achievement reinforces Kohli’s status as the modern era’s most consistent batter across formats, with centuries in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is alike.

What comes next?

India trail the five-match ODI series 0-2 after the loss at Lord’s. Kohli’s next scheduled appearances are the final three ODIs, followed by the rescheduled fifth Test in Dharamshala. A strong finish in England could still salvage a share of the series, keeping Kohli’s fitness and form under fresh scrutiny.