India, Sept. 28 -- Virat Kohli did not merely cross 15,000 ODI runs in Thiruvananthapuram. By the time he walked off unbeaten on 139 from 88 balls against the West Indies, he had provided perhaps the perfect innings through which to understand why his journey to the landmark has been so different from Sachin Tendulkar's.

India were chasing 296 and Kohli turned the pursuit into another exhibition of his control over the format. He reached 15,000 during the innings, went on to complete his 55th ODI century and eventually finished unbeaten as India cruised home by eight wickets with 50 deliveries remaining. It left Kohli with 15,080 runs after 303 ODI innings.

Tendulkar, the only other batter to enter the 15,000-run club, reached the landm...