IND vs NZ 2024: Virat Kohli surpasses MS Dhoni to become India’s second-most capped player

Ace India batter Virat Kohli scripted history once more after he became the second most capped player for team India. He overtook former India skipper MS Dhoni and now sits in second place. It is worth noting that Kohli became the second most capped player for India after he was named in the playing XI for India’s first Test clash against New Zealand.

The first Test against New Zealand will be Kohli’s 536th international match, whereas MS Dhoni has 535 caps to his name between 2004 and 2019. With Kohli in second place, it is legendary former India batter Sachin Tendulkar who tops the list of most caps with a mind-boggling 664 appearances across formats in a career spanning from 1989 to 2013.

It is worth noting that after Kohli, Rohit Sharma (486) and Ravindra Jadeja (346) are next in the list of players with most caps. Interestingly, Virat Kohli has played 115 Tests in his career so far, where he has managed to amass 8947 runs to his name, hitting 29 centuries and 30 half centuries.

Most matches for India

India looking to book WTC final berth

Speaking of team India, the side is one of the top contenders for a spot in the final of the World Test Championship in 2025. Currently, the Rohit Sharma-led side sits in first place in the WTC standings. With 11 Tests played, India have won eight matches, lost two, and drawn one. The side 98 points to their name, and they will hope for good performances in the NZ series in order to strengthen their case. 

It is worth noting that if India clean sweeps the BlackCaps in the three-game series, the side will only have to win one Test in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series against Australia in order to qualify for the WTC final. 

With India atop the standings, the side is followed by Australia, who sit in second place with eight wins and three losses in 12 matches. Furthermore, Sri Lanka occupies third place in the standings with five wins and four losses in nine matches.