In the second ODI against South Africa in Raipur, Indian cricket star Virat Kohli scored his second century in consecutive matches. The 37-year-old, who had previously netted 135 runs in the series opener in Ranchi, took only 90 balls to achieve this milestone. This marked his 53rd century in ODIs, further extending his record in the format.
Virat Kohli Reaches 53rd ODI Century With Ease
The ex-captain of India continues to prove his critics wrong, having already scored a century in the first ODI as well. Additionally, this was Kohli’s 84th international hundred, moving him closer to Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time record.
Tendulkar retired from international cricket in 2013, concluding his career with a total of 100 centuries (51 in Tests and 49 in ODIs).
Kohli has now recorded back-to-back centuries in ODIs for the 11th time, a record that no other player has matched, highlighting his extraordinary consistency in the 50-over format.
Kohli is also getting closer to regaining the top position in the ICC ODI batting rankings, currently sitting just 32 rating points behind Rohit Sharma.
Kohli was the top-ranked batter for over three years at the end of the last decade but lost that position to Pakistan’s Babar Azam in April 2021.
Rohit has expanded his lead over Daryl Mitchell from New Zealand in second place and Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran in third, while Kohli has surpassed teammate Shubman Gill to move into fourth place, narrowing the gap with the former Indian captain at the top.
In addition, there was more good news for India as veteran left-arm bowler Kuldeep Yadav advanced one spot to sixth place in the current ODI bowler rankings, while there has been yet another alteration at the top of the T20I all-rounder rankings following the recent tri-series in Pakistan.
Rohit has grown his lead over Daryl Mitchell from New Zealand in second place and Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran in third, as Kohli has moved past Shubman Gill into fourth place, making progress on the former Indian captain at the summit.