Virat Kohli completed his 84th international century in Raipur, hitting 7 fours and 2 sixes in 90 balls. King Kohli is rapidly running towards 100 centuries. Kohli, who faced criticism two months ago, has now set a target of increasing his number of centuries by the 2027 World Cup. Virat has shown consistency in his century tally in ODI cricket so far, scoring one century every 5-6 matches.
The King of ODI cricket amassed runs in Ranchi and then captured the cricket market and the hearts of millions of fans worldwide with a brilliant century in Raipur. Kohli scored his 53rd ODI century and his 84th international century with 7 fours and 2 sixes in 90 balls. Virat Kohli now holds the record for scoring centuries in two or more consecutive ODI innings for the 11th time.
Virat Kohli shared a 195-run partnership for the third wicket with Ruturaj Gaikwad in 156 balls. Gaikwad was dismissed for 10 runs off 83 balls. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli scored 102 runs and was dismissed by Lungi Ngidi. Virat Kohli scored his 7th ODI century against South Africa and his second consecutive century in this series. This is Kohli’s 7th ODI century overall and third consecutive ODI century against South Africa.
How far is the King from a century?
37-year-old Virat now has 84 centuries to his name, and he now plays only the ODI format. In this situation, he will have the opportunity to play 40 to 50 ODIs between now and the 2027 ODI World Cup to reach 100 centuries. So far, he has been able to score a century every 5-6 ODI matches. At this rate, he is definitely on track to reach the late 90s.
Kohli is improving every day
But Virat is working on his fitness every day like a handsome 20-year-old. He never misses extra work in the nets and keeps improving on small things. Virat played his first ODI in Dambulla, where he scored 12 runs while opening the innings with Gautam Gambhir.
Kohli and runs have a unique relationship. When he is in form, no bowler in the world can silence his bat. Something similar was witnessed on the Raipur ground. Kohli, along with Ruturaj Gaikwad, put on a 195-run partnership for the third wicket. Kohli scored 102 runs in 93 balls with the help of 7 fours and 2 sixes.
Equaled Sachin Tendulkar’s Record
Virat Kohli’s bat came into action again in the second ODI against South Africa. Kohli played a powerful innings and scored his second consecutive century in the series. Kohli reached his 53rd ODI century off 90 balls. This century set several records for Kohli. Virat Kohli scores back-to-back centuries for the 11th time, equaling Sachin Tendulkar’s record.
Virat Kohli now holds the record for scoring centuries in two or more consecutive ODI innings for the 11th time. This means Kohli has scored centuries in two or more ODI matches for the 11th time. Former South African captain AB de Villiers is second on this list. AB de Villiers has scored centuries in two or more ODI matches six times in a row.
In addition, Virat Kohli equaled Sachin Tendulkar’s great record. In fact, he has become the first player to score the most centuries at different venues (stadiums). Raipur was Kohli’s 34th different venue for scoring an ODI century. Before Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar had scored ODI centuries at 34 different venues. King Kohli now needs just one century at a different venue to surpass Sachin.
Most ODI centuries at different venues:
34* Virat Kohli (IND)
34 Sachin Tendulkar (IND)
26 Rohit Sharma (IND)
21 Hashim Amla (SA)
21 AB de Villiers (SA)
7th time against South Africa
Kohli has now scored seven or more centuries against four different opponents. Virat has scored 10 centuries against Sri Lanka, nine against the West Indies, eight against Australia, and seven against South Africa. This is the joint-most centuries scored by any player in ODIs against South Africa. Kane Williamson also has the same number of centuries against South Africa.
Kohli’s last three ODI innings against South Africa:
101*, Kolkata, World Cup 2023
135, Ranchi, 2025
102, Raipur, 2025
Virat Kohli scored his second consecutive century in the ODI series against South Africa. After scoring a century in the first ODI in Ranchi, Kohli also scored a century in the Raipur ODI. In the second match of the ODI series, Kohli once again stepped to the crease after the first wicket fell early and, in his familiar style, steadied the innings, reaching his century. With this, Kohli also broke Sachin Tendulkar’s world record for most ODI centuries from a single position.
Team India had to bat first in the second match of the ODI series on Wednesday, December 3, at the Shaheed Veernarayan Singh Stadium in Raipur. However, this time Rohit Sharma was dismissed early, while Yashasvi Jaiswal also returned to the pavilion after a brief stay. All eyes were once again on Virat Kohli, who had scored his 52nd century in the previous match. The way Kohli started his innings suggested another big innings was in store, but he was soon dismissed after smashing a hundred.
Kohli opened his account with a powerful pull shot off his fourth ball, hitting a six. From there, he continued to build on the score. During this period, Kohli reached his half-century in 47 balls, and moments later, he waved his bat in the air for the 53rd time in ODI cricket. Kohli took a run off the last ball of the 38th over and jumped straight into the air. As usual, he took out his engagement ring, kissed it, and celebrated his 53rd ODI century by looking skyward and thanking the sky.
Although Virat Kohli failed to convert his century into a major innings this time, getting out after scoring 102 runs off 93 balls, he did achieve some significant milestones. First, Kohli broke another ODI record held by the legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar. Sachin had scored the most centuries in ODI cricket as an opener with 45. Now, Kohli surpassed him by scoring his 46th century at the number 3 position. The former Indian captain now holds the record for most centuries in a single position in any format.
Not only this, but this was the 11th time in ODI cricket that Kohli had scored centuries in two or more consecutive matches. This is a world record in itself. He is followed by AB de Villiers, who has achieved this six times. Kohli completed a hat-trick of centuries against South Africa. He had scored a century in the 2023 World Cup and now has scored centuries in two consecutive matches. Overall, this is his seventh ODI century against South Africa.
Most Centuries Over 100+ Strike Rate in ODIs
Virat Kohli has become the batsman with the most centuries in ODI cricket history with a strike rate of 100+. Kohli has scored 36 centuries in his ODI career with a strike rate of 100+. Second on this list is AB de Villiers, who has 25 centuries in ODIs. Sachin Tendulkar has scored a total of 24 centuries in ODIs.
36: Virat Kohli
25: AB de Villiers
24: Sachin Tendulkar
Most ODI Centuries in Defeat
In addition, Kohli is the fourth batsman in the world to score the most ODI centuries during a defeat. This is Kohli’s 8th century in his ODI career when India has suffered a defeat. Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for most ODI centuries during a defeat, having scored a total of 14 ODI centuries during a defeat.
14: Sachin Tendulkar (200 Innings)
11: Chris Gayle (161 Innings)
9: Brendan Taylor (151 Innings)
8: Virat Kohli (103 Innings)
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Virat Kohli’s ODI Centuries in Defeat
107 vs. ENG, Cardiff, 2011
123 vs. NZ, Napier, 2014
117 vs. AUS, Melbourne, 2016
106 vs. AUS, Canberra, 2016
121 vs. NZ, Wankhede, 2017
107 vs. WI, Pune, 2018
123 vs. AUS, Ranchi, 2019
102 vs. SA, Raipur, 2025*
Regarding the match, India, batting first, scored 358 for 5 in 50 overs before South Africa won the match with four balls to spare. South Africa defeated India by four wickets in the second ODI. Aiden Markram played a brilliant innings for South Africa, scoring 110 runs off 98 balls. Matthew Breetzke’s 68 off 64 balls and Dewald Brevis’ 54 off 34 balls gave the team a historic victory. The series is now tied at 1-1. The final match of the series will be played in Visakhapatnam on December 6th.