Virat Kohli: 100 International Centuries, the Chase Master, and His Place in Batting History
Virat Kohli (India) reached 100 international centuries in October 2023 (vs Afghanistan, ODI World Cup) — only the second player to do so after Sachin Tendulkar (100 international centuries). Kohli has scored centuries in all three formats (Tests, ODIs, T20Is), holds the record for most centuries in run chases (ODIs), and his 76 in the 2024 T20 World Cup final is widely considered his most important innings. He averages 48+ in Tests, 57+ in ODIs, and is India's greatest modern batter.
Virat Kohli was born in Delhi in November 1988. He grew up in West Delhi, trained at the Rajkumar Sharma academy, and represented Delhi in age-group cricket before breaking into the national side in 2008. His ODI debut came at 19; his Test debut in 2011. Within 5 years he was the world's best batter across formats — a position he maintained until at least 2023.
The 100th International Century
Kohli's 100th international century came against Afghanistan in the 2023 ODI World Cup (Chennai, November 2023). He reached the milestone with a drive through cover — the same shot that has defined his career. He finished with 117* (112 balls). It was his 49th ODI century — he has scored more ODI centuries in run-chases than any batter in cricket history. His breakdown: approximately 29 Test centuries, 49 ODI centuries, 1 T20I century.
The Chase Master
Kohli's ODI average in fourth innings (chases) is approximately 65 — dramatically higher than his overall ODI average of 57. He has led India to successful chases of 300+ multiple times and his technique under pressure has been studied internationally. His most famous chase: India needed 313 vs Pakistan (2012 Asia Cup, Mirpur) — Kohli scored 183 (148 balls) to win with 9 balls to spare. His ODI chase average exceeds every other batter in history with 30+ innings.
Frequently asked questions
Is Virat Kohli the greatest Indian batter of all time, or does Sachin Tendulkar hold that position permanently?
Kohli vs Tendulkar: the greatest Indian batter debate. The Kohli vs Tendulkar debate is the most discussed topic in Indian cricket — and one of the most complex in all of sport, because it involves comparing across eras with different conditions, pitches, and opposition quality. Sachin Tendulkar's case: (1) 200 Tests at 53.78 average — the most consistent, highest-volume performance over the longest career. (2) Played against Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralitharan at their peaks. (3) 100 international centuries (49 Test, 49 ODI, 1 T20I). (4) Scored in every country, on every pitch type. (5) Scored 1991 Test double century vs Zimbabwe (242*) as an opener. The weight of the Indian cricket public's expectation for over 24 years (1989–2013) was a psychological burden Kohli has not faced in the same way. (6) First player to score 200 in a Test innings (at times, this is attributed to Tendulkar: 200* vs Bangladesh in 2010). Kohli's case: (1) Better modern technique — several analysts rate Kohli's technique as more comprehensive against swing bowling in England (Kohli's 2018 series in England: 593 runs, the most by any batter in the series, after scoring 0 in 2014). (2) Chase average of 65 in ODIs is higher than Tendulkar's. (3) 100 international centuries reached faster (in fewer innings than Tendulkar needed). (4) Better T20I record (Tendulkar's T20I career was limited). (5) India's success in recent years (2018 first Test series win in Australia, 2021 win at Gabba, 2024 T20 WC) was built with Kohli as the batting cornerstone. The objective verdict: most cricket statisticians rate Tendulkar as the greatest overall career batter, factoring in longevity (200 Tests vs Kohli's 110+), era quality, and variety of achievement. Kohli is the greatest chase batter in ODI history and possibly the most technically complete Indian batter in English conditions. The positions are too close to be definitive — they represent the pinnacle of Indian batting across two different generations.