Virat Kohli: 70+ International Centuries, 48.62 Test Average — India's Greatest Modern Run-Scorer
Virat Kohli is an Indian batsman born on 5 November 1988 in Delhi. He has scored more than 26,000 international runs across all three formats, including 70+ international centuries — second only to Sachin Tendulkar's 100. In ODI cricket, he holds the record for most ODI centuries (50+) by any batsman and an average of over 58 in ODIs. In Tests he scored over 9,000 runs at 48.62 with 29+ centuries. He served as India's Test captain from 2014 to January 2022 — with 40 Test wins as captain, the most by any Indian captain. Under him India became the number one Test team in the world, won a Test series in Australia for the first time in 71 years (2018-19), and won their first Test series in England since 2007 (2021). He scored 254 not out vs South Africa at Pune in 2019 — his highest Test score.
Virat Kohli was born on 5 November 1988 in Delhi. He made his ODI debut in August 2008 against Sri Lanka in Dambulla and his Test debut in June 2011 against the West Indies in Kingston. In his early career he was known as an aggressive middle-order batsman. By 2012-13, batting at number 3 in all formats, he had established himself as one of the best batsmen in the world. His technique — particularly his ability to leave deliveries outside off stump and drive on the up — was unusual for the era of high-scoring, aggressive batting. By 2016 he was ranked the world's number one batsman in all three formats simultaneously, a near-unprecedented feat.
Test Record and Captaincy
Kohli took over India's full Test captaincy from MS Dhoni in December 2014. In 68 Tests as captain, he recorded 40 wins — the most wins by any Indian Test captain. Under his leadership, India became the number one Test team in the ICC rankings and held that position for extended periods. The most significant achievements were India's first Test series victory in Australia in 71 years (2018-19, 2-1) and their first Test series win in England since 2007 (2021, 2-1). Kohli himself scored over 9,000 Test runs at an average of 48.62, with 29 centuries and 28 half-centuries. His highest Test score is 254 not out against South Africa at Pune in October 2019. He stepped down as Test captain in January 2022.
ODI Record and International Centuries
In ODI cricket, Kohli's record is extraordinary: an average of over 58 and more than 50 centuries — more ODI centuries than any other batsman in history. He regularly set records for the fastest player to reach successive run milestones (1,000, 2,000, etc.) in ODIs. At the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, held in India, Kohli was the tournament's leading run-scorer — he scored 765 runs in 11 innings including 3 centuries, and became the first player to score 50 ODI centuries in a World Cup match (against South Africa in Kolkata). India reached the final but lost to Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. Kohli was named Player of the Tournament.
Frequently asked questions
How many international centuries has Virat Kohli scored?
Virat Kohli has scored over 70 international centuries across all three formats of cricket (Tests, ODIs, T20Is) — second only to Sachin Tendulkar's 100 international centuries. In ODIs specifically, he has scored over 50 centuries — more than any other batsman in ODI history. He averages over 58 in ODI cricket.
What were the major achievements of Virat Kohli's Test captaincy?
As India's Test captain (2014-2022), Virat Kohli led India to 40 Test wins — the most by any Indian captain. He guided India to their first Test series victory in Australia in 71 years (2018-19, 2-1) and their first series win in England since 2007 (2021, 2-1). India were ranked the number one Test team for extended periods during his tenure. He stepped down as Test captain in January 2022.