Star India batter Shreyas Iyer is on the brink of eclipsing a major ODI record held by Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan as India prepare for the second ODI against New Zealand. Making his return to international cricket in the series opener at Vadodara, Iyer impressed with a fluent 49 off 47 balls, which included four boundaries and a six.

The ODI vice-captain now has 2,966 runs from 68 innings at an average of 47.83, with five centuries and 23 half-centuries. He needs just 34 more runs to become the fastest Indian to reach 3,000 ODI runs. The current record is held by Shikhar Dhawan, who reached the milestone in 72 innings, followed by Virat Kohli in 75 innings.

If Iyer achieves the landmark in the second ODI, he will also draw level with West Indies great Viv Richards as the fourth-fastest player globally to 3,000 ODI runs. The world record belongs to Hashim Amla, who reached the mark in 57 innings.

In the first ODI, Iyer shared a crucial 77-run partnership with Virat Kohli for the third wicket, playing a key role in India’s successful chase of 301.

Prior to the series, Iyer featured in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Mumbai, where he showcased his fitness following recovery from a spleen injury. He scored 82 off 53 balls against Himachal Pradesh and followed it up with a 45 off 34 balls against Punjab, easing concerns over his form and physical readiness.

With India leading the series 1–0 after a four-wicket win in the opener, the team will aim to seal the series in the second ODI scheduled to be played in Rajkot on January 14.