Virat Kohli, one of modern cricket’s most prolific batsmen, has once again captured the imagination of the cricketing world. With centuries in consecutive One Day Internationals (ODIs), Kohli has reignited a conversation that many assumed had quietly faded: can he eventually surpass Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 100 international centuries?
Currently standing on 84 centuries across formats, Kohli remains the second-highest century scorer in the history of international cricket. Yet, following his retirement from Test and T20 International cricket, many analysts considered the milestone almost unattainable. Test cricket had long offered him the most consistent avenue for accumulating big hundreds, and without it, the journey now relies almost exclusively on limited-overs cricket.
Despite these doubts, Kohli has demonstrated remarkable resilience and skill.
His 52nd ODI century, scored in Ranchi, was a masterclass in composure under pressure. After losing the toss, India found themselves in a precarious position, yet Kohli anchored the innings with poise and fluidity, steering the team through challenging moments.
Barely days later, Kohli produced another spectacular performance in Raipur. His 53rd ODI century, compiled off just 90 deliveries, was studded with seven elegant boundaries and two well-timed sixes. The innings displayed both technical precision and mental fortitude, signalling to fans that Kohli is still very much at the peak of his powers in ODIs.
This remarkable sequence of centuries has rekindled optimism among Indian supporters and sparked renewed debate among cricket pundits. Can Kohli realistically notch up the remaining 16 centuries needed to match Tendulkar’s record? Opinions remain divided.
Some experts contend that with his exceptional fitness, meticulous training, and disciplined lifestyle, Kohli could maintain peak performance in ODIs for three to four more years — potentially providing enough opportunities to chase the milestone. Others caution that the modern calendar offers fewer ODIs than in Tendulkar’s era, which may render the record an almost insurmountable challenge.
What is undeniable, however, is Kohli’s unwavering ability to defy expectations. His twin centuries serve as a potent reminder: he is far from finished, and the dream of approaching Tendulkar’s monumental record remains very much alive.
Virat Kohli’s Recent ODI Centuries (2025)
| Match | Venue | Runs | Balls Faced | Boundaries | Sixes | Century Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India vs Opponent | Ranchi | 112 | 104 | 10 | 1 | 52nd ODI Century |
| India vs Opponent | Raipur | 101 | 90 | 7 | 2 | 53rd ODI Century |