Virat Kohli Achieves 53rd ODI Century in Second Match Against South Africa

Virat Kohli achieved his 53rd ODI century during the second match against South Africa in Raipur, marking his second consecutive century in the series. Partnering with Ruturaj Gaikwad, who also scored his first ODI century, they built a formidable partnership that set the stage for India's strong performance. Kohli's innings included impressive shots and solid contributions, while the team looks forward to maintaining their momentum in the series. Discover more about this thrilling match and Kohli's remarkable achievements.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 3, 2025, 17:21 IST

Kohli's Remarkable Performance

On Wednesday, Virat Kohli marked his 53rd One Day International (ODI) century during the second match of the series between India and South Africa at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur. This achievement also marked his second consecutive century in the ongoing ODI series against South Africa. In the first ODI, Kohli scored 135 runs off 120 balls, contributing significantly to India's 17-run victory in Ranchi, hitting 11 fours and seven sixes.

A Historic Partnership

The 37-year-old cricketing icon completed his century in just 90 balls, bringing his total international centuries to 84, trailing behind the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who holds the record with 100 international centuries. Kohli formed a remarkable partnership of 195 runs for the fourth wicket with Ruturaj Gaikwad, who also celebrated his first ODI century in this match, reaching the milestone in 77 balls.

Gaikwad's Impressive Debut Century

Gaikwad scored 105 runs off 83 balls, maintaining an aggressive strike rate and showcasing some excellent shots before being dismissed by Marco Jansen in the 36th over. Their partnership was crucial in establishing India's lead in the second ODI. The team is optimistic about continuing their strong performance, with KL Rahul set to bat at number five.

Match Overview

Kohli's innings included seven fours and two sixes, as he scored 102 runs off 93 balls. Earlier in the match, both Yashasvi Jaiswal (22) and Rohit Sharma (14) were dismissed cheaply. South Africa's captain, Temba Bavuma, won the toss and opted to bowl first, with both Bavuma and Maharaj returning to the lineup after being rested in the previous match.