In a defining moment for modern cricket, Virat Kohli’s 52nd ODI hundred in Ranchi has not only rewritten the history books but also reignited — and perhaps conclusively ended — the long-standing debate about the greatest one-day batter of all time. Moments after Kohli surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s iconic mark of 51 ODI centuries, Sunil Gavaskar publicly crowned him the “undisputed greatest” in the format.
Virat Kohli Breaks Tendulkar’s Record and Rewrites ODI History
Kohli’s superb 135 off 120 balls in the first ODI against South Africa was more than just a match-defining knock — it was a legacy-shaping innings. His 52nd ODI hundred pushed him past Tendulkar’s monumental record, sparking reactions across the cricket world.
Speaking during the mid-innings show, Gavaskar wasted no time in placing Kohli’s achievement in an exclusive zone.“I don’t think there’s any doubt about that,” he said. “Everyone who has played against and with him agrees that he is the best in the one-day format.
“Why Sunil Gavaskar Calls Virat Kohli the Greatest in ODIs
Gavaskar pointed to three pillars behind Kohli’s greatness:
1. Respect Across Generations and Opponents
According to Gavaskar, the unanimous admiration for Virat Kohli — from teammates to rival players — reinforces his status in ODI cricket.
2. Unmatched Volume of Runs and Centuries
Scoring 52 hundreds in a format squeezed between T20s and Tests elevates Kohli into what Gavaskar described as “the stratosphere.
”His consistency, longevity, and ability to dominate pressure situations form the backbone of his one-day legacy.
3. Validation From Ricky Ponting
To strengthen his argument, Gavaskar referenced praise from former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, calling him a neutral and credible witness.
“I just heard Ricky Ponting said he’s the best he’s seen in one-day cricket,” Gavaskar confessed. “It is very rare to get praise from an Australian. Very, very difficult.
”For Gavaskar, this endorsement from a World Cup–winning Australian captain effectively seals Kohli’s status at the top.
Virat Kohli vs. Sachin Tendulkar: Gavaskar’s Balanced Perspective
Even while declaring Virat Kohli the GOAT, Gavaskar ensured Sachin Tendulkar’s greatness remained respected and intact.
“Sachin has been absolutely right up there with 51 hundreds,” he said. “But you know where you stand when you pass the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.
“This phrase encapsulated the essence of Kohli’s moment in Ranchi – it wasn’t about overshadowing Tendulkar but about going into an altogether new arena of ODI batting greatness.
A Defining Knock for Virat Kohli
Kohli’s 135-run gem not only shaped the match but also his legacy.In the eyes of Sunil Gavaskar — and, as he emphasized, many others — crossing Tendulkar’s ODI century record places Virat Kohli beyond debate in the GOAT conversation.
His performance in Ranchi will be remembered not just for the runs scored but for the cricketing chapter it closed — and the new one it opened.