Virat Kohli's centuries in ODIs: India star shatters Sachin Tendulkar's world record; formers says ‘King stays King!’

Virat Kohli sent the whole cricket fraternity in awe with his record-breaking hundred against South Africa in the first ODI on Sunday at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. Having last scored a hundred against Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Kohli registered his 52nd hundred in the format and second in the year.

The 36-year-old, who currently resides in the United Kingdom, and plays only one format for India, displayed his full authority from the first ball with a fluent 135 off just 120 balls, that was studded by 11 fours and seven sixes. Riding on his knock and fifties from Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul, India eased their way to 349/8 in the 5 overs.

His 136-run stand with Rohit Sharma for the second wicket took the game away from the South Africans to set up India's big total on a flat wicket in MS Dhoni's land. His knock once again reminded the selectors and management that Kohli remains India's most bankable batter in ODIs.

In the process, Kohli shattered his idol Sachin Tendulkar's record for most ODI tons. The former Indian captain reached his 50th ODI hundred in front of Tendulkar in 2023, before equalling the legendary figure earlier in February in Dubai. Today's hundred made Kohli the batter with most ODI hundreds in the format in the whole universe.