Virat Kohli`s bat has penned many stories of victory in the One Day International (ODI) arena, each chapter ending with a century that is echoed by the cheers of the crowd. On 35th Birthday with his 49th one-day international (ODI) century, Virat Kohli has matched the world record held by his countryman Sachin Tendulkar.
In ODI cricket, Virat Kohli`s centuries are more than simply numbers; they are evidence of his unwavering class and voracious thirst for runs. Virat Kohli`s centuries-long career has set a standard for reliability and skill throughout his remarkable career. Having a player of his caliber in the crease means consistency and assurance, and the phrase "Virat centuries" has come to represent both.
In the 50-over format of cricket, every century scored by Virat Kohli is a story unto itself, the tale of a batsman who has perfected the craft.
Virat Kohli`s Most Remarkable Centuries:
On December 24, 2009, Kohli scored his first century at Eden Gardens against Sri Lanka. In the fourth One-Day International in Kolkata, he scored 107 off 114 balls to aid India in their chase of 316. In 2010 Kohli made his second ODI century against Bangladesh and scored 102 and he made two more centuries this year against different teams.
For Team India, 2011 will always be a magical year. After 28 years India won the ODI World Cup and this year Kohli scored four centuries. In 2012, Virat made five centuries and this year(February) he played 133* off 86 ball innings against Sri Lanka which led India to the second-highest run-chase by any team in Australia. Kohli made his highest ODI score (183, against Pakistan) this year as well.
After that, in the 2013 Triangular Series match against West Indies, he scored his first century as captain. In October 2013 on a bilateral series against Australia, Kohli scored two centuries. The first of the two, 100*, was reached in 52 balls which is still the fastest century an Indian has ever made in an ODI.
Kohli scored 25 centuries between 2014 and 2019. After a three-year drought in 2022, Kohli smashes his 44th ODI century. He hit a century against Bangladesh in the third One-Day International in Chattogram. The century was achieved after 1,214 days and 25 innings. Kohli`s final ODI century came against the West Indies in Port of Spain 2019.
On Sunday in Bengaluru against the Netherlands, Kohli will have his first chance to surpass Tendulkar`s record number of hundreds. All eyes will be on the former captain to see if he can take the record completely. India`s semi-final matchup against New Zealand on 15 November will provide Kohli at least one more chance to smash the record if he is unable to do so against the Netherlands.
