Kohli Etches Name in History, Surpassing Tendulkar's ODI Century Record

Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli has continued his phenomenal form, achieving back-to-back centuries and definitively surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's long-standing world record for One Day International (ODI) hundreds. This remarkable performance was notably highlighted during the second ODI against South Africa in Ranchi, as reported by ndtv.com on December 3, 2025.

Kohli's latest century cemented his position at the pinnacle of ODI batting, elevating his career tally to an astounding 53 centuries in the format, according to mykhel.com on December 3, 2025. This achievement decisively moves him past the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who held the record with 49 ODI hundreds for many years.

The "century scoring spree" underscores Kohli's consistent and record-breaking batting prowess, captivating the cricketing world with his relentless pursuit of excellence. His ability to deliver under pressure has been a hallmark of his illustrious career, as noted by The Cricket Panda on December 1, 2025.

The significance of this milestone cannot be overstated, as Kohli has now broken one of the most cherished records in cricket, previously held by a player widely revered as the "God of Cricket," Sachin Tendulkar, according to The Cricket Panda. Tendulkar's 49 ODI centuries were a benchmark for over a decade.

The back-to-back centuries against South Africa in the ongoing series have not only added to Kohli's personal accolades but have also provided crucial momentum for the Indian team. This dominant display in Ranchi has further solidified his reputation as a modern-day cricketing legend, as highlighted by The Times of India on December 3, 2025.

Cricket analysts and former players have lauded Kohli's achievement, with many acknowledging his unparalleled consistency in the ODI format. His ability to maintain such high standards over an extended period is a testament to his dedication and skill, a point emphasized by Sportsadda on November 24, 2024.

• Historical Context of the Record: Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 ODI centuries stood as a monumental benchmark in international cricket for years, defining an era of batting dominance. Tendulkar, who also holds the record for 100 international centuries across all formats, set an incredibly high standard for consistency and longevity in the game, as detailed by Grokipedia on November 27, 2025. His achievements were often considered untouchable, making Kohli's recent feat even more remarkable.

• Kohli's Journey to the Summit: Virat Kohli's ascent to the top of the ODI century list has been characterized by his exceptional consistency and his renowned ability to perform in run-chases, earning him the moniker "Chase Master." Since his ODI debut in 2008, Kohli has steadily accumulated centuries, often under immense pressure, showcasing his mental fortitude and supreme batting technique, as reported by mykhel.com on December 3, 2025. His consistent scoring has been a cornerstone of India's success for over a decade.

• Statistical Comparison and Dominance: A statistical analysis reveals Kohli's extraordinary efficiency in reaching this milestone. According to Hindustan Times on December 1, 2025, Kohli has achieved his centuries at a significantly faster rate than Tendulkar, with a century approximately every 5.6 innings compared to Tendulkar's 9.2 innings. This highlights Kohli's insane peak and sustained high performance, even when compared to the "Master Blaster."

• Expert Opinions and Legacy Implications: Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar, as reported by The Times of India on November 30, 2025, has unequivocally stated that Kohli is the greatest ODI batter, a sentiment echoed by others including Ricky Ponting. This record solidifies Kohli's legacy as one of cricket's all-time greats, moving beyond comparisons to establish his unique place in the sport's history, according to mashable India on December 3, 2025.

• Future Milestones and International Centuries: With 53 ODI centuries, Kohli now boasts 84 international centuries across all formats (53 in ODIs, 30 in Tests, and 1 in T20Is), placing him second only to Sachin Tendulkar's unparalleled 100 international hundreds, as noted by Wikipedia on December 3, 2025. While reaching 100 international centuries remains a challenging prospect, Kohli's current form and dedication suggest that further records are well within his reach, as discussed by Cricket News on December 3, 2025.

• Impact on Indian Cricket and Team Dynamics: Kohli's continued dominance provides immense stability and firepower to the Indian batting lineup, especially in the ODI format. His role as an anchor and a match-winner is crucial for India's aspirations in upcoming tournaments, including the 2027 World Cup, as highlighted by Cricket News on December 3, 2025. His leadership, even without the captaincy, inspires confidence and sets a high standard for his teammates.

• Record for Centuries at Different Venues: In addition to his overall century tally, Kohli has also equaled Sachin Tendulkar's record for scoring ODI centuries at the most different venues, with 34 distinct grounds witnessing his hundreds, according to crictracker on December 3, 2025. This particular statistic underscores his adaptability and ability to perform consistently across diverse playing conditions worldwide.