Virat Kohli etched his name further into cricket history on Sunday, November 30, 2025, by scoring his 52nd One Day International (ODI) century against South Africa in Ranchi. This remarkable feat breaks the record held by Sachin Tendulkar for the most centuries in a single format of international cricket; Tendulkar previously held the record with 51 Test centuries. Kohli's achievement marks a significant milestone in his already illustrious career, solidifying his place among the all-time greats.

Kohli's innings was a masterclass in ODI batting, characterized by his signature cover drives and skillful rotation of the strike. He came to the crease early in the innings after India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal. Kohli then stabilized the innings, forming a formidable partnership with Rohit Sharma. Together, they laid the foundation for a substantial total. Kohli reached his century in the 38th over, dispatching a boundary off Marco Jansen and prompting a celebratory leap and roar that reverberated throughout the stadium. He reached his century off 102 balls, which included seven fours and five sixes.

This century is Kohli's sixth against South Africa in ODIs, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar and David Warner, who each have five. The innings not only showcased Kohli's individual brilliance but also his ability to perform under pressure and adapt his game to the needs of the team.

Kohli's journey to 52 ODI centuries is a testament to his enduring dedication and evolution as a cricketer. Since overcoming a century drought between 2019 and 2022, Kohli has returned to peak form, adding a second peak to his career. His latest century comes during a high-pressure phase of his career, yet his average and strike rate remain elite.

With this century, Kohli has widened the gap between himself and other contenders in the list of most ODI centuries. Sachin Tendulkar (49) and Rohit Sharma (33) now trail behind Kohli, who continues to score centuries even in the later stages of his career. Kohli now holds the record for the most centuries in a single format, surpassing Tendulkar's 51 Test centuries. Kohli reached 52 centuries in just 294 innings, while Tendulkar needed 452 innings to score 49 ODI centuries.

In addition to this milestone, Kohli is also approaching another monumental achievement. He is now 337 runs away from reaching 28,000 international runs, a feat previously achieved by only Kumar Sangakkara and Sachin Tendulkar. Kohli currently has 27,673 runs from 553 matches, with an average of 52.21, including 82 centuries and 144 half-centuries. In 2025, across 7 ODI matches, Kohli has scored 275 runs.

Kohli's 52nd ODI century is more than just a statistic; it's a symbol of his unwavering commitment to the game and his relentless pursuit of excellence. His ability to adapt, evolve, and perform under pressure has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest ODI batsmen of all time.