RANCHI: Virat Kohli delivered yet another masterclass in Ranchi, smashing his 52nd ODI century and breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record for the most hundreds by a batter in a single format.
The series opener against South Africa turned into a run-fest as India dominated with the bat. Kohli, in sublime touch, stitched a 136-run partnership with Rohit Sharma for the second wicket and went on to score a commanding 135 off 120 balls. His innings featured 11 boundaries and seven sixes, striking at an impressive 112.50.
With this knock, Kohli surpassed Tendulkar’s tally of 51 Test centuries, becoming the player with the highest number of centuries in any single format. This milestone also marked his 83rd international century.
Kohli eclipsed the Master Blaster in two more records:
- He registered his sixth ODI century against South Africa, overtaking Tendulkar and David Warner.
- He logged his 59th fifty-plus score in ODIs at home, going past Tendulkar’s mark of 58.
His century was also the 7,000th in men’s international cricket.
Ranchi continues to be a golden venue for Kohli. At the JSCA Stadium, he now has 519 runs in six innings at an incredible average of 173, including three centuries and a half-century, scored at a strike rate of 110.19.
In ODIs this year, Kohli has amassed 484 runs in 11 matches at an average of 53.77, including two centuries and three fifties.
Overall, the modern-day great now boasts 14,390 ODI runs in 306 matches, averaging 58.02 with 52 centuries and 75 fifties — cementing his legacy as one of cricket’s finest ever.
