In the three-match series against South Africa, Virat Kohli scored his second consecutive century in Raipur on Wednesday, continuing his incredible run of form that has seemed both unstoppable and inevitable. The 37-year-old, batting at number three, walked in early once again and put himself on the match with the precision, pace, and authority that have defined his revival in the format.
Kohli celebrated his 53rd ODI century and 84th international century at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium by jumping into the air after reaching his hundred off 90 balls. It was his second hundred in as many outings after a stunning 135 off 120 in the series opener in Ranchi. He brought up the landmark with a subtle push off Marco Jansen towards long-on, a single that had the Raipur crowd on its feet long before the ball reached the fielder.
Successive ODI hundreds were a hallmark of Kohli’s peak years from 2016 to 2018, and his latest feat is the 11th time he has scored back-to-back centuries in the format — more than any player in ODI history. The next most for anyone is six by AB de Villiers.
The Raipur ton also extended the record he had reclaimed in Ranchi, moving him four clear of Sachin Tendulkar on the all-time ODI hundreds list. Kohli now has 84 international centuries, second only to Tendulkar’s 100 and a massive 26 ahead of the next active player, Joe Root.
As he completed the hundred, he jumped and punched the air before extending his arms skyward. He took off his helmet, threw back his head for a moment, and turned to face a thunderous Raipur. KL Rahul raced in to greet him as chants of his name thundered over the ground. The innings had begun with a brilliantly controlled pull for six from Lungi Ngidi and continued with the usual pattern that has defined Kohli at his best. He took the early animosity, played everything late and under his eyes, then altered gears practically without notice.
With this century, Kohli now has seven or more ODI hundreds against four different opponents: 10 versus Sri Lanka, 9 against the West Indies, 8 against Australia and 7 against South Africa. Sachin Tendulkar is the only other batter to achieve such a spread of centuries across multiple teams: 9 vs Australia and 8 vs Sri Lanka.
Kohli’s last three ODI innings against South Africa form an extraordinary run: an unbeaten 101 in Kolkata during the 2023 World Cup, 135 in Ranchi last week, and another unbeaten 101 in Raipur.
This is also the joint-highest number of ODI hundreds scored against South Africa, pulling Kohli level with Kane Williamson. Raipur became the 34th venue where Kohli has reached three figures in ODIs, putting him alongside Tendulkar at the top of the all-time list. Rohit Sharma is next with 26, while Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers follow with 21 each.
Kohli’s knock came a day after he declared his availability for the next Vijay Hazare Trophy for Delhi, a move largely viewed as a strong statement of intent ahead of the ODI World Cup in South Africa next year.
Shortly after Ruturaj Gaikwad left for a superb 105, Kohli was eventually dismissed for 102 off 93 balls to Ngidi in the 40th over. Stand-in captain KL Rahul led the Indian run charge after that with an unbeaten 66 powering India to 358/5 in their 50 overs.
