Virat Kohli Surpasses Sachin Tendulkar With Record-Breaking 52nd ODI Century

In yet another monumental achievement, Virat Kohli etched his name deeper into cricket history by smashing his 52nd ODI century, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record for the most hundreds in One-Day Internationals. The historic knock came during the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi on November 30, 2025, reaffirming Kohli’s stature as one of the greatest batters of all time.

Breaking the Legendary Record

Kohli’s century saw him move past Tendulkar’s record of 49 ODI hundreds, making him the first male cricketer to score 50+ centuries in a single format. With this, Kohli becomes the record holder for most ODI centuries in the history of men’s cricket.

This was also his sixth ODI century against South Africa, setting a new record for most centuries by a batter against the Proteas in ODIs, previously tied with Tendulkar and David Warner at five each.

Match Performance and Milestones

• Match: India vs South Africa, 1st ODI, Ranchi
• Kohli’s Score: 100+ (exact runs not specified, but confirmed century)
• ODI Centuries: 52 (most in ODI history)
• ODI Centuries vs South Africa: 6
• Total International Centuries: 83 (second only to Tendulkar’s 100)

The innings was a masterclass in pacing, shot selection, and stroke-making — showcasing vintage Kohli cover drives, immaculate strike rotation, and trademark composure under pressure.

Kohli’s Legacy in ODI Cricket

Virat Kohli’s consistency in the ODI format is unparalleled. Since his debut in 2008, he has been the cornerstone of India’s batting unit across generations. Known for chasing big totals and anchoring innings, Kohli has now redefined what longevity and adaptability mean in the modern game.

His 52 centuries have come across diverse conditions, world tournaments, and against every major cricketing nation, making the record even more phenomenal.

Climbing the Ladder of Cricket Greatness

1. International Century Count

• Kohli: 83
• Tendulkar: 100 (still holds the all-format record)

Kohli is now the second-highest century scorer across formats, and continues to chase Tendulkar’s all-format record.

2. Approaching 28,000 International Runs

Kohli is also on the verge of reaching 28,000 international runs, a milestone achieved only by Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara. He needed 337 runs before the South Africa series to reach that figure.

A Statement of Form and Fitness

At 36 years of age, Kohli continues to defy expectations with his fitness, mental toughness, and hunger for runs. His latest record comes after a successful Champions Trophy campaign, and silences any doubts about his future in Indian cricket.

Kohli’s dedication to excellence and his ability to perform in crunch situations underline his enduring impact on the game.

Key Takeaways

• Record Broken: Most ODI centuries in history (52 by Kohli)
• Previous Record Holder: Sachin Tendulkar (49 centuries)
• Match Venue: Ranchi, India
• Opponent: South Africa
• Kohli’s Total International Centuries: 83