Ranchi, India – Virat Kohli etched his name in cricketing history by scoring his 52nd One Day International (ODI) century against South Africa on Sunday, November 30, 2025, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's long-standing record of 51 centuries in a single format of international cricket. The record-breaking innings took place at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi, India, during the first ODI of the three-match series.
Kohli's masterful innings of 135 runs off 120 balls provided India with a strong foundation after they were put in to bat by South Africa. He displayed remarkable control and calculated strokeplay on a pitch that demanded both discipline and aggression. Kohli came in to bat early after India lost their first wicket and stitched together a century stand with Rohit Sharma. The crowd erupted in celebration as Kohli reached his century, acknowledging the moment with a leap and a punch of the air. He raised his bat to all four stands as he walked off the field, receiving a standing ovation from the Ranchi crowd.
With this milestone, Kohli now stands alone as the batter with the most centuries in a single format of international cricket, exceeding Tendulkar's previous record of 51 Test centuries. This was also Kohli's 83rd century in international cricket, which keeps him second in the list of overall centuries, with Sachin Tendulkar still on top with 100 international centuries. This feat also marked the 7000th international century in men's cricket.
Sachin Tendulkar himself led the tributes to Kohli, expressing his joy that an Indian player broke his record. In a message, Tendulkar reminisced about his first meeting with Kohli and praised his passion and skill. He said he was happy that the "young boy has grown into a 'Virat' player" and that he "couldn't be happier that an Indian broke my record".
Many other former and current international stars also applauded Kohli's achievement. Former teammate Suresh Raina called it a magnificent century. Brad Hogg, former Australian spinner, described it as a moment to be treasured in the history books. Ian Bishop, West Indies legend, cherished Kohli's great sense of occasion.
Kohli, who made his ODI debut in August 2008, scored his first century against Sri Lanka in 2009. He now holds the record for the most ODI centuries, surpassing Tendulkar's 49. Kohli also holds the record for most centuries in a winning cause in ODIs, with 42.
Kohli's journey to becoming one of cricket's greats is a testament to his dedication, talent, and relentless pursuit of excellence. His record-breaking 52nd ODI century is not just a personal achievement but a moment of pride for India and cricket fans worldwide. "King stays King!" said one former cricketer, encapsulating the sentiment of many as they celebrated Kohli's remarkable feat.
