A New World Record Established in Ranchi
November 30, 2025
The Unstoppable Force: Kohli’s Record-Breaking 135
Virat Kohli achieved a monumental milestone on November 30, 2025, by scoring his 52nd One Day International (ODI) century against South Africa in Ranchi. This century not only solidified his status as a “cricketing legend” but also established a new world record for the most centuries in a single format of international cricket, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar. The event took place at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi.
In the first ODI against South Africa, Virat Kohli played a “masterclass innings” of 135 runs off 120 balls, featuring 11 fours and 5 sixes. This performance led him to his 52nd ODI century, making him the first player to achieve this feat in a single international cricket format. This surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 51 Test centuries, positioning Kohli as the sole leader in centuries within a single format.
Historic 52nd ODI Century Celebration
The Resurgence of a Legend: From Question Marks to “Vintage Best”
The Comeback King: Journey to 52nd Century
Kohli’s journey to this 52nd century involved overcoming a period of “drying up” centuries between mid-2019 and late 2022, during which his form was “under question” by critics. He entered what is now considered his “second peak,” marked by his 50th ODI century in the 2023 Cricket World Cup semifinal against New Zealand. In 2025 prior to this match, he had scored 484 runs in 11 ODI innings with an average of 53.77, including two centuries and three half-centuries.
This Ranchi ODI century was his second international hundred of 2025 (the first being against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy) and his first ODI ton on home soil in 746 days, signifying a return to his “vintage best”.
India’s Dominance: A Collective Effort in Ranchi
Team India secured a 17-run victory over South Africa in the first ODI, with a collective effort complementing Virat Kohli’s individual brilliance. India posted a total of 349 runs for 8 wickets in 50 overs. Key contributions came from skipper KL Rahul (60 runs) and Rohit Sharma (57 runs), who built a 136-run partnership with Kohli.
South Africa’s chase fell short despite a valiant effort. Kuldeep Yadav was instrumental in breaking partnerships, and Prasidh Krishna maintained composure in the final over.
Team India’s Collective Celebration
The King’s Century Count: A Glimpse at 83 International Hundreds
Virat Kohli’s International Centuries Breakdown
As of November 30, 2025, Virat Kohli has amassed 83 international centuries across all three formats:
- 52 One Day Internationals (ODIs) Kohli now holds the record for the most centuries in the ODI format. His first ODI hundred was against Sri Lanka in 2008. He has scored 10 ODI tons against Sri Lanka, 9 against West Indies, and 8 against Australia.
- 30 Test Matches Kohli has scored 30 centuries in Test matches. His first Test century (116) was against Australia in Adelaide in 2012. He holds the Indian record for the most double centuries in Test cricket with seven.
- 1 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) Kohli has one century in T20Is: an unbeaten 122 off 61 balls against Afghanistan in the T20 Asia Cup in Dubai on September 8, 2022.
The Viral Reaction: Rohit Sharma’s Unfiltered Celebration and Beyond
The celebration of Virat Kohli’s 52nd century included a viral “raw and unfiltered” reaction from Indian captain Rohit Sharma in the dressing room. Sharma’s animated expression, a mix of delight and playful exasperation, was a significant talking point. This milestone also marked their 20th century stand in ODIs, surpassing the Tendulkar-Dravid record for the most international matches played by an Indian pair.
A pitch invader approached Kohli to touch his feet during his celebration. Kohli marked the occasion with his signature leap and roar, acknowledging the crowd.
Viral Reactions to Kohli’s Milestone
Legacy and Future of Indian Cricket
Virat Kohli’s 52nd ODI century is a testament to his “enduring class, resilience, and unparalleled hunger for runs.” This world record achievement, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record for centuries in a single format, solidifies his position as one of the greatest cricketers of all time. Kohli’s continued leadership is seen as a positive indicator for the future of Indian cricket, with this historic knock in Ranchi inspiring a new generation of cricket fans.
About the Author
