Ranking Virat Kohli’s 15 Greatest Centuries
'King' Kohli Turns 37
Indian cricketing icon Virat Kohli, who celebrated his 37th birthday yesterday, is nearing the end of his illustrious career, which is marked by holding numerous run-scoring records across all three international formats for India, as well as in the IPL.
117 vs. New Zealand in Mumbai (2023)
The 15th spot on this list is occupied by Virat Kohli's 117 runs off 113 balls against New Zealand in the 2023 ODI World Cup semi-final, which not only powered India to the final but also saw him break Sachin Tendulkar's record for the most career ODI centuries (50). He helped India set a massive first inning score of 397 runs on the board.
138 vs. South Africa in Chennai (2015)
Virat Kohli's masterful 138 runs off 140 balls against South Africa in 2015 was a crucial, defining innings under pressure, in the heat and humidity of the Chidambaran Stadium in Chennai. He navigated the challenging conditions brilliantly, constructing a knock that included six fours and five sixes to power India to a total of 299 runs.
101 vs. South Africa in Kolkata (2023)
Virat Kohli's 101-run knock against South Africa in Kolkata at the 2023 ODI World Cup was a pitch-perfect anchoring innings on his 35th birthday, guiding India to a strong total on a tricky surface. The knock, which equaled Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 ODI centuries, was characterized by control, featuring ten fours and a six.
116 vs. Australia in Adelaide (2012)
Virat Kohli's 116 run-innings against Australia in Adelaide in 2012, stands out as his first Test century, achieved amidst a disastrous tour for the Indian side. Playing just his 10th Test innings, he fought the hostile conditions and world-class bowling attack to forge a determined knock featuring 11 fours and one six.
100 vs. Australia in Jaipur (2013)
Virat Kohli's blistering 100-run innings against Australia is the reason why he is called the 'Chase-Master'. In Jaipur in 2013, Kohlis reached his century in a then-record 52 balls for an Indian batsman, an innings that included eight fours and seven sixes, while chasing down a massive target of 360 runs in a thrilling contest.
160 vs. South Africa in Cape Town (2018)
Virat Kohli's marathon 160 against South Africa in Cape Town in 2018 stands as a monument of endurance in his ODI career. He anchored India’s innings, batting through all 50 overs for a match-winning total, hitting 12 fours and two sixes, which earned him the record for highest score by an Indian in the 50-over format in South Africa.
122 vs. Afghanistan in Dubai (2022)
Virat Kohli's spectacular 122 against Afghanistan in Dubai in 2022 marked a significant milestone as his maiden T20I century and his 71st international hundred, ending a long wait for a triple-digit score. He dominated the innings with powerful striking, hitting 12 fours and six maximums, to record his highest T20I score ever.
153 vs. South Africa in Gauteng (2018)
While it came in a losing cause, Virat Kohli's commanding 153 against South Africa at the Centurion in Gauteng in 2018, stands as his most fluent Test century in that country, achieved on a challenging pitch against a world-class pace attack. He almost single-handedly carried India's innings, crafting a magnificent knock that featured 15 boundaries.
103 vs. England in Nagpur (2012)
Another significant Test milestone in his career, Virat Kohli scored a much-needed 103 runs off 295 balls against England in Nagpur in 2012, saving India from a defeat. Batting under pressure, he displayed immense defensive responsibility, crafting a resolute innings that included 11 fours, as he anchored when attacking was not an option.
107 vs. Pakistan in Adelaide (2015)
Virat Kohli's commanding 107 against arch-rivals Pakistan in Adelaide at the 2015 ODI World Cup, marked his first century in a World Cup and ensured India began the tournament with a dominant victory. He built the innings with exceptional control, while guiding the Men in Blue to a 300-run total on a challenging surface.
254 vs. South Africa in Pune (2019)
Virat Kohli's 254-run innings against South Africa in Pune in 2019 stands as his highest score in red-ball cricket, a career-defining double-century that guided India to a dominant position with a first innings score of 601/5. Kohli hit 33 fours and two sixes during stay at the crease, as it ensured an effortless victory for India.
149 vs. England in Birmingham (2018)
Often considered as his finest Test century, Virat Kohli scored 149 runs against England in Birmingham in 2018, single-handedly rescued India's second innings from 100/5 to 274. Facing England's potent pace attack, he played a disciplined knock, beautifully hitting 22 fours and a six to notch his maiden Test hundred in the country.
141 vs. Australia in Adelaide (2014)
In his very first Test match as captain, Virat Kohli scored an audacious 141 runs against Australia in Adelaide in 2014, almost winning the match for India by attempting to chase down a massive target of 364 runs. He fearlessly led the chase, playing an attacking knock that featured 16 fours, showcasing his intent and refusal to settle for a draw.
183 vs. Pakistan in Mirpur (2012)
Often recognized as his greatest innings ever, Virat Kohli's explosive 183 runs against Pakistan in Mirpur during the 2012 Asia Cup stands as his highest ODI score. Playing just his 94th ODI, he masterfully dictated the run rate, crafting a fluent knock that included 22 fours and a six to secure a stunning victory in a run chase of 330 runs.
133 vs. Sri Lanka in Hobart in 2012
Virat Kohli's blistering 133 runs off just 86 balls against Sri Lanka in Hobart during the 2012 Commonwealth Bank ODI series is widely considered the inning that announced his arrival as a global superstar. He dismantled the Sri Lankan bowling attack to chase 321 in just 36.4 overs, striking the ball at a rapid pace to hit 16 fours and two sixes.
