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The legendary Sunil Gavaskar believes Virat Kohli has a strong chance of equalling Sachin Tendulkar's record of 100 centuries in international cricket. Kohli is only 16 short of becoming the second batter in the world to complete 100 centuries in international cricket. He extended his overall tally to 84 across formats after smashing two tons in the recently concluded three-match ODI series against South Africa.
Kohli bagged the Player of the Series for his batting heroics after India crushed South Africa by 9 wickets in the third and final ODI in Vizag on Saturday to clinch the series 2-1. After back-to-back tons in the first two matches, Kohli scored an unbeaten 65 off 45 balls to help India make light work of the 271-run target in the 3rd ODI and record a dominant 9-wicket win.
It was a dominant batting effort from India in Vizag as the hosts rode on Yashasvi Jaiswal's maiden ODI century and half-centuries apiece from Rohit Sharma and Kohli to chase down the target of 271 runs in just 39.5 overs. Jaiswal scored 116 not out, while Rohit slammed a brilliant 75 to star in India's victory.
With his unbeaten 65-run-knock in the 3rd ODI, Kohli finished the three-match series against South Africa as the highest run-getter with 302 runs, including two centuries and a fifty. He extended his tally of tons to 54 in ODIs and 84 overall with his twin hundreds in the series. Kohli needs only 16 more centuries to equal Tendulkar's record of 100 tons.
"Why not? Even if he plays for three more years, he needs 16 hundreds from here," said Gavaskar, when asked if Kohli can go on to equal Tendulkar's record of 100 centuries in international cricket.
"The way he has been batting, he has scored two hundreds in a three-match series. Going forward, even if he scores two more against New Zealand in a three-match series, he will reach 87. So the chances of him getting to 100 are big, very good. The way he has been batting, he is enjoying himself," he added.
Kohli, who retired from Test cricket earlier this year, seems to have rediscovered his mojo in ODIs for India. Despite playing only a single format for the country, Kohli has shown no signs of slowing down or rustiness as he continues to shatter records one series after another.
Kohli amassed over 300 runs in a three-match bilateral ODI series for the first time in his career, highlighting his return to peak form despite being in the final lap of his career. Kohli himself acknowledged he has been relishing his batting in ODIs and has not batted this well in the last 2-3 years.
With India expected to play roughly 35 ODIs till the 2027 ODI World Cup, assuming that they make it to the final, Kohli has a healthy chance of equalling Tendulkar's record thanks to his incredible consistency. Kohli needs roughly a hundred every two matches to get to 100 international tons, but considering the way he has been batting, it doesn't look impossible.
Kohli will finish 2025 as India's highest run-getter in ODIs with 651 runs in 13 matches at an average of 65.10, including three centuries. He is expected to take part in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Delhi later this month before returning to action for India in the ODI series against New Zealand next month.
India will play a three-match ODI series against New Zealand from January 11 to 18. Kohli will need at least two more tons in the series to remain on track for 100 centuries in international cricket by the end of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
