Virat Kohli Shines in ODI Series Against South Africa, Eyes Historic Milestone

Virat Kohli is making headlines in the ongoing ODI series against South Africa with two impressive centuries. After returning to the national team, he has showcased his exceptional batting skills, scoring 135 and 102 runs in the first two matches. As he aims to extend his career until the 2027 World Cup, Kohli is also on the brink of breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record of 100 international centuries. With a total of 84 centuries to his name, Kohli's pursuit of this milestone adds an exciting narrative to his already illustrious career. Will he maintain the consistency needed to achieve this historic feat? Read on to find out more.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 5, 2025, 08:53 IST

Kohli's Stellar Comeback in ODIs

Former Indian captain and renowned batsman Virat Kohli is showcasing exceptional form in the current ODI series against South Africa. After a brief hiatus following the ODI series in Australia last October, Kohli has made a significant impact in the initial matches of the series against the Proteas.

Dominant Performances in the Series

In the first ODI held in Ranchi, Kohli made headlines with a remarkable innings of 135 runs, helping India set a formidable total of 349/8, which the bowlers defended successfully, dismissing South Africa for 332 in 49.2 overs. Continuing his impressive run, Kohli scored 102 runs off 93 balls in the second ODI in Raipur, leading India to a score of 358/5, although India ultimately lost the match by four wickets.

Reaffirming His Place in the Team

With two centuries in consecutive matches, Kohli has sent a clear message to the selectors and management about his ongoing form and reliability, reinforcing his commitment to being part of India's long-term ODI strategy leading up to the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

Transitioning to a One-Format Player

Having retired from Test and T20 formats, Kohli is now focusing solely on ODIs, aiming to extend his illustrious career until the 2027 World Cup, which may mark his final appearance in the tournament. While he has not officially confirmed his participation in the event, his involvement in the ODI series against Australia and South Africa indicates his dedication to India's World Cup plans.

Proving Doubters Wrong

Despite concerns regarding his form after his Test retirement, Kohli's performances in the last ODI against Australia and the first two matches against South Africa have dispelled any doubts, demonstrating that his hunger for runs, timing, and ability to win matches remain intact.

Kohli's Impressive Statistics

In the ongoing ODI series against South Africa, Kohli has accumulated 237 runs, averaging 118.50 with a strike rate of 111.70 across two matches, highlighting his dominance and ability to control the pace of the innings even at 37 years old.

Chasing Tendulkar's Century Record

Kohli currently has 84 international centuries, just 16 shy of matching the legendary Sachin Tendulkar's record of 100 centuries. Both Kohli and Tendulkar are the only players to have scored 80 or more centuries in international cricket, showcasing their exceptional standing in the sport.

Kohli's Unique ODI Record

What sets Kohli apart is his record for the most centuries in a single format, with 53 centuries in ODIs, surpassing Tendulkar's 51 Test centuries, emphasizing Kohli's legacy in ODI cricket.

The Road Ahead for Kohli

Kohli is 17 centuries away from breaking Tendulkar's record. Given that he is focusing on one format, maintaining peak performance and consistency will be essential for him to achieve this milestone. India has one match left in 2025, with a total of 18 ODIs scheduled for 2026 and an estimated 14-20 matches in 2027, including the Asia Cup and World Cup.

The Challenge of Consistency

To surpass Tendulkar's record, Kohli would need to score approximately 0.39 to 0.46 centuries per match over the next two years, which translates to a century every 2-3 games. It remains to be seen if he can maintain this level of consistency to further cement his legacy in cricket history.