In the illustrious realm of international cricket, few names shine as brightly as Virat Kohli's. The Indian cricket genius has etched his name in the records of the sport's history once again, achieving a remarkable milestone that sets him apart from the rest. Virat Kohli, the modern-day great reached the extraordinary feat of scoring 50 One Day International (ODI) centuries. He has broken the record of Sachin Tendulkar for the most ODI hundreds who scored 49 hundreds in his career. Virat’s this achievement not only underscores his unparalleled skill with the bat but also cements his legacy as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of the game.

Kohli's journey to the 50 ODI hundreds is evidence of his unwavering dedication, exceptional skill, and insatiable hunger for success on the cricket field. From his debut in August 2008 against Sri Lanka to the present day, Kohli has consistently exhibited a level of batting prowess that few can match. His ability to chase down formidable targets, anchor the innings, and play match-winning knocks has made him the linchpin of India's batting lineup.

Virat Kohli made his maiden ODI century against Sri Lanka on December 24, 2009, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. As a young, brash, and immensely talented batsman, Kohli showcased glimpses of his prodigious talent early on. In January 2010, he registered his second hundred in the format against Bangladesh, followed by two more centuries later in the year. His aggressive yet composed style of play hinted at the greatness that would later define his illustrious career.

The Delhi-born batter quickly solidified his position as the pivotal figure in India’s batting lineup. He scored four hundred in 2011, while getting sublime form the next year, smacking five ODI centuries. 2013 once again proved to be an excellent year for him, as he hit four more centuries in the format. It was not just about scoring centuries; it was about doing so consistently, setting an unprecedented standard for excellence.

Virat once again started the year with a ton. On January 19, 2014, he scored 123 runs against New Zealand at Mclean Park in Napier. The year saw him smash 136 runs against Bangladesh and 127 and 139* against the West Indies and Sri Lanka, respectively.

Virat’s ability to navigate pressure situations and convert starts into centuries became the stuff of cricketing legend. A couple of hundreds in 2015 and three in 2016 were added to his ODI career. The years 2017 and 2018 proved years of absolute dominance of Virat Kohli over the cricket world in the format.

He hits 6 tons each year, which looks unreal. This was Kohli at his peak. He scored five hundreds in 2019 before he experienced a dip in form. A player with 43 ODI centuries remained unable to score a single hundred for three years. During the three-year bad patch of his career, Virat remained committed with the believe of making a strong comeback. Finally, in December 2022, he scored 113 against Bangladesh at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong.

Due to consistent performance in the decade, Virat Kohli won the Sir Garfield Sobers' Award for ICC Men's Cricketer of the Decade (2010-2020).  

2023 has proved yet another year of Virat Kohli’s consistency and incredible skill, as he has already hit six centuries. In the ODI World Cup 2023, he scored three hundreds. He waited a bit long to get his 49th hundred as he got out on 95 and 88 in a couple of matches. Eventually, in the 1st semifinal on November 15, 2023, he broke the record of the great Sachin Tendulkar for scoring the most one-day international centuries (49) by hitting 117 runs off 113 balls against New Zealand in Mumbai. He achieved this feat in merely 279 innings. Along with 50 centuries, he also scored 71 half centuries.

Kohli surpassed cricketing legends and etched his name in record books as one of the fastest to reach milestones. He has so many records, including the fastest 8000, 9000, 10000, 11000, 12000, and 13,000 ODI runs. Virat has the most international runs in the history of ODI cricket, after Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara. He remained No.1 ranked ODI batsman for 1258 days (the third most by any players). Kohli’s records cannot be covered in one article; however, these are only a few of the top ODI records.

Virat Kohli’s Top World Cup Records

1. Most runs in a World Cup edition
2. Most 50+ scores in the World Cups

Kohli’s on-field exploits have inspired a generation of cricketers, instilling a sense of belief and work ethic that extends far beyond the boundary ropes. His commitment to the game and his relentless pursuit of excellence makes him a role model for aspiring cricketers worldwide.