Virat Kohli smashes 53rd century, his second in successive ODIs
What's the story
Veteran Indian batter Virat Kohli continues his sublime run in ODI cricket. The 37-year-old reached three figures for the second successive ODI, this time in Raipur against South Africa. Kohli powered India in the 2nd ODI with a 195-run stand with Ruturaj Gaikwad. He raced to his 53rd ODI century. Notably, Kohli now has 50-plus scores in his last three ODIs.
Knock
Another magnificent ton from Kohli
Kohli came to the middle after Nandre Burger sent Rohit Sharma back in the fifth over. India had a positive start after SA elected to field. Kohli joined Yashasvi Jaiswal, whose dismissal in the 10th over left India at 62/2. The former then joined forces with Gaikwad, guiding India past 250. He gave another masterclass in ODI batting, reaching his ton off 90 balls.
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Kohli departs for 102
While Gaikwad departed after completing his ton, Kohli continued to tick the scoreboard with KL Rahul. However, Kohli's innings was also cut short following his century. In the 40th over, Lungi Ngidi dismissed Kohli for a 93-ball 102 (7 fours and 2 sixes).
Century
53rd ODI ton for Kohli; 7th against the Proteas
As mentioned, Kohli raced to his 53rd century in ODI cricket. With this knock of 102, he has raced to 14,492 runs at 58.20 (50s: 75). Kohli is the second-highest run-scorer in ODI history, only behind Sachin Tendulkar (18,426). Kohli now has the most tons in India-South Africa ODIs (7), surpassing Quinton de Kock and Ab de Villiers (6 each).
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Second player with this feat
Earlier in the match, Kohli became the second player with 6,500 ODI runs at home. Kohli joined Tendulkar, who bowed out with 6,976 runs from 164 home ODIs, averaging a fine 48.11. He hammered 20 tons and 38 half-centuries.
Streaks
Stunning streaks for Kohli
According to Cricbuzz, Kohli now has 13 different streaks of three-plus successive innings of 50-plus scores in ODI cricket. The next-best such streak is 11 by Rohit Sharma. He is followed by Tendulkar (10). Kohli also recorded the 11th instance of scoring hundreds in two or more consecutive ODI innings. AB de Villiers has the next-best streak (6).
Numbers
Other notable records set by Kohli
Kohli has 7 ODI tons against SA which is two clear of Tendulkar and David Warner. His last three ODI scores versus SA read 102 in Raipur (2025), 135 in Ranchi (2025), and 101* in Kolkata (CWC 2023). Kohli owns seven or more hundreds against four different opponents - 10 vs SL, 9 vs WI, 8 vs Australia, and 7 vs SA.
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Record partnership for India
As mentioned, Kohli and Gaikwad added 195 runs off 156 balls for the third wicket. This is now the highest partnership for India (any wicket) against South Africa in ODIs, eclipsing the 194-run stand between Tendulkar and Dinesh Karthik in 2010 in Gwalior.