Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli once again displayed his class, reaching another century that brings him closer to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 100 international centuries. With this latest feat, Kohli has now amassed 85 centuries across all three formats of international cricket—Tests, One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). To equal Tendulkar’s milestone, he still requires 15 more centuries.
Kohli has already retired from Test and T20 international cricket. Despite being in excellent form, he chose to step away from these formats to manage workload and avoid undue criticism. Cricket analysts, however, argue that an early retirement from Test cricket may have cost him a smoother path towards the 100-century mark. Had he continued playing both Tests and ODIs for a few more years, achieving this historic milestone could have been more straightforward.
Now, with only ODIs remaining on his international schedule, reaching 100 centuries has become a more challenging prospect for the Indian star. Nevertheless, Kohli’s determination and skill remain undiminished.
On Sunday, Kohli took charge of India’s innings amid a batting collapse during the third and final match of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand at Holkar Stadium in Indore. Displaying his trademark composure and attacking flair, he scored a magical century in just 91 deliveries, guiding India to a respectable total.
Earlier in the series, Kohli narrowly missed a century in the first ODI, falling short by just seven runs. Today, he erased that disappointment and reinforced his reputation as one of the finest batsmen of his generation.
A snapshot of Kohli’s current international century tally is as follows:
| Format | Centuries Scored | Target (100) | Centuries Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 27 | 100 | 73 |
| ODI | 46 | 100 | 54 |
| T20I | 12 | 100 | 88 |
| Total | 85 | 100 | 15 |
Kohli’s innings on Sunday was not just a statistical achievement but also a testament to his mental strength, consistency, and ability to perform under pressure. Fans and cricket experts alike are optimistic that with a few more ODI innings, Kohli can finally reach the century of centuries, cementing his place among the pantheon of cricketing legends.
His ongoing form continues to inspire a new generation of cricketers and reinforces his status as a modern icon of Indian cricket.
