Virat Kohli — The Run Machine's Career, Records & Legacy
Virat Kohli has scored more ODI centuries than anyone except Sachin Tendulkar. Learn about India's most passionate batter, his Test chases, IPL dominance with RCB, and his 50th ODI century in 2023.
Virat Kohli (born 1988, Delhi) is the pre-eminent Indian batter of the post-Tendulkar era — a prolific run-scorer with one of the game's greatest temperaments for large chases. Kohli retired from Test cricket in May 2025 with 9,230 Test runs (average ~47.5); he remains active in ODIs with over 14,000 ODI runs (average ~57) and 50+ ODI centuries — the most by any batter in history, surpassing Tendulkar in 2023 — and more than 4,000 T20I runs.
The greatest ODI chaser of all time
Kohli's record in successful ODI run-chases is arguably the most dominant individual record in limited-overs cricket. When India win an ODI chase and Kohli bats through, his average in those matches exceeds 120. He has an uncanny ability to pace a run-chase, play according to the required run rate, and accelerate at the death. His most famous chases include 183 against Pakistan at the 2012 Asia Cup — a match India appeared to have no hope of winning — and multiple century chases in the ICC Champions Trophy and World Cups.
Test match batting — England 2014 tour
Kohli's Test career almost derailed during the 2014 England tour, when he was repeatedly dismissed by James Anderson outside the off stump, averaging under 13 for the series. His response — an intense period of reflection, technical adjustment, and return to England in 2018 where he averaged 59.3 with two centuries — is one of cricket's great individual comeback narratives. The 2018 England series confirmed Kohli as a genuine Test great who could adapt and overcome.
RCB and IPL — the long wait for a title
Kohli has played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) since the IPL's inception in 2008 — the longest unbroken association between a player and a franchise in IPL history. Despite the franchise fielding some of the most celebrated batting line-ups in IPL history, RCB waited 18 seasons before winning their first IPL title — finally lifting the trophy in 2025 (beating Punjab Kings by 6 runs in Ahmedabad) in one of cricket's great franchise storylines. Kohli's two-decade loyalty to RCB through the lean years and the eventual triumph is one of cricket's enduring stories. His IPL record includes 8,000+ IPL runs, the most by any player.
Frequently asked questions
How many ODI centuries has Virat Kohli scored?
Virat Kohli has scored 50 ODI centuries — the most by any batsman in ODI history, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 in 2023 during the ICC Cricket World Cup. Kohli is also the second highest ODI run-scorer of all time, behind Tendulkar.
What is Virat Kohli's Test average?
Virat Kohli's final Test batting average was approximately 47.5 (9,230 runs, 30 centuries from 123 Tests — retired May 2025). His best Test form came in the 2017–19 period when he averaged above 60 per year.
Did Virat Kohli ever win the IPL?
Virat Kohli won the IPL with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in 2025 — RCB's maiden IPL title, beating Punjab Kings by 6 runs in Ahmedabad, in Kohli's 18th IPL season with the franchise. He is RCB's all-time leading run-scorer with 8,000+ IPL runs. RCB had previously reached the final in 2009, 2011, and 2016 without winning.