Virat Kohli once again reminded the cricketing world why he is considered one of the greatest batters of the modern era. The star Indian batter smashed his second consecutive century in the ongoing ODI series against South Africa, this time during the 2nd ODI in Raipur on Wednesday. At 37 years old, Kohli continues to defy age and expectations, producing performances that mirror the brilliance of his peak years.
Coming off a superb 135 in the series opener in Ranchi, Kohli carried his sensational form into the Raipur clash. He reached his century off just 90 balls, pacing his innings with the perfect mix of aggression and control. This ton marked his 53rd ODI century—an already record-extending feat that further cements his status as the most prolific century-maker in the format’s history.
The India legend has silenced critics in emphatic style, registering centuries in both ODIs of the series so far. This latest milestone was also significant as it became his 84th international ton, putting him just a shade closer to Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time record of 100 international centuries. Tendulkar, who retired from international cricket in 2013, finished with a staggering tally of 51 Test and 49 ODI centuries—numbers once thought unbreakable. Kohli’s steady march toward this landmark continues to captivate fans across the globe.
What makes this performance even more remarkable is that it marks the 11th instance of Kohli scoring back-to-back centuries in ODIs—the most by any player in the history of the format. It is a record that showcases not only his brilliance but also his extraordinary consistency over the years. While many players experience short bursts of form, Kohli’s ability to maintain elite standards across a decade-plus of cricket is what separates him from the rest.
Along with rewriting batting records, Kohli’s recent performances have also helped him inch closer to reclaiming the No.1 position in the ICC ODI batting rankings. He now sits just 32 rating points behind current India captain Rohit Sharma. Kohli was the world’s top-ranked ODI batter for more than three years toward the end of the previous decade, dominating the rankings until Pakistan’s Babar Azam claimed the top spot in April 2021. Since then, Kohli has been steadily climbing back, and this latest surge in form could soon propel him to the summit once again.
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma has strengthened his grip on the No.1 ranking, widening the gap between himself and second-placed Daryl Mitchell of New Zealand, as well as Afghanistan’s rising star Ibrahim Zadran, who sits in third place. Kohli’s leap ahead of teammate Shubman Gill into fourth spot further reflects the significant movement in the latest rankings.
India found even more reason to celebrate as left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav climbed to sixth place in the ODI bowling rankings. His recent performances have showcased maturity, variation, and sharpness—traits that have turned him into a reliable strike bowler in white-ball cricket.
On the T20I front, the rankings also saw another change at the top of the all-rounders list following the culmination of the tri-series in Pakistan. With T20 cricket becoming increasingly competitive, ranking shifts among all-rounders have become more frequent, reflecting the evolving nature of the shortest format.
As India continues to build momentum ahead of major tournaments, Kohli’s resurgence could not have come at a better time. His hunger for runs, unmatched fitness, and ability to rise to big moments continue to inspire his team and ignite fans’ hopes. Whether breaking records, chasing milestones, or simply producing world-class cricket, Kohli remains the heartbeat of India’s batting lineup.
With another century under his belt and history within touching distance, the cricketing world now watches closely: How soon will Virat Kohli climb back to the top of the rankings? And can he catch the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s century record before he hangs up his boots? If his current form is any indication, the journey promises to be thrilling.
