Virat Kohli Breaks Sachin Tendulkar’s Record, Becomes Highest Century-Maker in ODI History

By Bangalore Mail Sports Bureau

Bangalore | November 30

In a landmark moment for world cricket, Virat Kohli today surpassed Sachin Tendulkar to become the highest century-maker in the history of One Day Internationals. With his masterful 52nd ODI hundred, scored at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi, Kohli climbed to a peak that once seemed unreachable.

Kohli’s brilliant innings — a fluent, commanding 135 off 102 balls — came during the opening ODI against South Africa. His century was not just a statistical milestone; it was an exhibition of composure, precision, and supreme technical control under pressure. Chasing a stiff target, Kohli anchored India’s innings with the kind of authority that has defined his career for over a decade.

Before today, the long-standing record for the most centuries in a single format was held by Sachin Tendulkar, who accumulated 51 centuries in Test cricket — a mark many believed would stand the test of time. Kohli, however, has rewritten that script with relentless consistency and an insatiable appetite for big scores.

What makes today’s achievement all the more remarkable is the scale of his domination across opponents and conditions. His 52 ODI centuries have come across continents, opposition attacks, and match situations — a testament to one of the most complete limited-overs careers the sport has ever seen. His tally includes six centuries against South Africa in ODIs, the most by any batsman against the Proteas.

Kohli’s record-breaking moment is not only a personal triumph but also an important chapter in Indian cricket history. Fans, former cricketers, and analysts have long debated whether anyone could touch Tendulkar’s batting peaks. Kohli has now not only bridged that gap but crossed it in emphatic fashion.

As the series continues, the spotlight will remain firmly on Kohli — not just for what he has achieved, but for the new milestones he may yet conquer. Today, however, belongs to history, to celebration, and to an athlete who has redefined batting excellence for an entire generation.