Virat Kohli 52nd ODI Century against South Africa, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record. Discover historic cricket milestones, key stats, and exam-focused insights.
Virat Kohli Sets New Milestone — 52nd ODI Century Surpasses Sachin’s Record
Historic Knock at Ranchi
In a spectacular performance on 30 November 2025, during the first One Day International (ODI) between India national cricket team and South Africa national cricket team at the JSCA International Stadium, Ranchi, Virat Kohli smashed his 52nd ODI century — a monumental knock that rewrote the record books.
Kohli walked in to bat when India were 25 for 1. He immediately set the tone with a fluent off-drive off the very first ball from South Africa’s left-arm seamer. Despite sporadic hiccups at the other end, Kohli constructed his innings with mature shot selection and patience, reaching his century in just 102 balls.
The century not only marked another feather in his cap but also established him as the leading run-machine in modern ODI cricket. His overall ODI tally of centuries now stands at 52 — the highest by any male cricketer in a single format.
Breaking the Legendary Record
Before this match, the benchmark for most centuries in a single format of international cricket was held by Sachin Tendulkar. While Tendulkar amassed 51 centuries in Test cricket, Kohli’s 52 in ODIs now puts him atop that list.
This feat cements Kohli’s place in cricketing history — he is now the only male player to cross the 50-century mark in a single format.
Adding further weight to the achievement, this was Kohli’s sixth ODI century against South Africa, giving him the most hundreds by any batter against the Proteas in ODIs.
Legacy of Consistency and Excellence
Since his ODI debut in 2008, Kohli has remained a pillar of Indian batting across eras. His 52 centuries have come across different conditions — big tournaments, high-pressure run-chases, and varied opposition — underscoring his adaptability and enduring class.
With 52 ODI tons alone — and a total of 83 international centuries across formats — Kohli has established himself as arguably the greatest contemporary batsman.
Moreover, even at the age of 36 (as of the match), his fitness, skill, and mental toughness remain undiminished — silencing doubts about longevity and showcasing that age is no barrier when accompanied by discipline and drive.
New Benchmark in International Cricket
With this achievement, the record for most centuries in a single international format has been redefined. Kohli’s 52 ODI centuries now represent the new pinnacle — a mark that many future aspirants will aim for but few may touch.
The importance of this milestone extends beyond numbers: it reflects sustained excellence, hunger for runs, and the ability to perform under pressure — attributes that define all-time greats. For upcoming players and fans alike, Kohli’s achievement is a reminder of what peak performance, resilience, and consistency can achieve in international sport.
Why This News Matters
This milestone matters not just for cricket fans, but for anyone studying current affairs or preparing for general-knowledge sections in competitive exams — because:
- It marks a historic shift in cricket record books. The previous benchmark of centuries set by a legendary player stood for decades; now it’s been overtaken, showing how records evolve with time.
- It highlights the significance of consistency and longevity — two traits relevant beyond sports, resonating with themes like excellence, perseverance, and striving to break barriers.
- It offers a notable example for exam-related GK questions, including “who holds the most ODI hundreds”, or “which cricketer recently surpassed Tendulkar’s record”. Given how cricket often appears in GK/current-affairs topics, this fact becomes directly relevant for students.
- It emphasizes that achievements in popular culture (sports) are part of general awareness; being updated with such milestones reflects a candidate’s well-rounded knowledge, useful not only in interview rounds, but also in essay/discussion-type questions.
Thus, this development isn’t just about a player or match — it becomes part of the larger narrative of records, achievement, and evolving history.
Historical Context
- For decades, Sachin Tendulkar was revered as one of the greatest batsmen ever. Among many of his records, one stood out: 51 centuries in Test cricket — the highest number of centuries in any single format for a long time.
- Over time, as One Day Internationals gained prominence and playing conditions changed, records began shifting. Players like Kohli — representing a newer generation — combined classical technique with modern fitness and mindset, seizing more opportunities and playing more matches.
- Over the years, Kohli had gradually chipped away at the record. In November 2023, during the semi-final of the Cricket World Cup, he notched up his 50th ODI century — itself a historic first in men’s cricket.
- Since then, his consistent run-scoring and commitment to ODI cricket set him up for this 2025 landmark. The 52nd century not only surpassed Tendulkar’s long-standing mark but did so convincingly, with a composed century under pressure at home in Ranchi.
Thus, the record isn’t a sudden blip — but the culmination of years of sustained performance, reflecting evolution in the sport, player fitness, and modern cricketing demands.
Key Takeaways from This News
| S.No | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1. | Virat Kohli scored his 52nd ODI century on 30 November 2025 at Ranchi against South Africa. |
| 2. | With 52 ODI hundreds, Kohli now holds the record for the most centuries by any male cricketer in a single format. |
| 3. | The century made him the only male cricketer in history to cross the 50-century mark in one format. |
| 4. | This was Kohli’s sixth ODI century against South Africa — the most by any batter versus that team. |
| 5. | His career total of international centuries now stands at 83, underscoring his consistency and dominance across formats. |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who scored the 52nd ODI century that surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s record?
Virat Kohli scored his 52nd ODI century, breaking the record for the most centuries in a single format by a male cricketer.
2. Against which team did Virat Kohli achieve his 52nd ODI century?
Kohli scored the milestone century against South Africa at Ranchi.
3. How many international centuries has Virat Kohli scored in his career?
As of this match, Virat Kohli has scored a total of 83 international centuries across all formats.
4. Whose record did Virat Kohli break with his 52nd ODI century?
Kohli surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 51 centuries in a single format.
5. How many ODI centuries has Virat Kohli scored against South Africa?
He has scored six ODI centuries against South Africa, the highest by any batsman versus this team.
6. Why is this record important for cricket and competitive exams?
It sets a new benchmark in ODI cricket and is often included in general knowledge/current affairs questions for exams.
7. Where did Virat Kohli score his 52nd ODI century?
He scored it at JSCA International Stadium, Ranchi.
8. How fast did Virat Kohli reach his 52nd century in terms of balls faced?
He reached his 52nd century in just 102 balls.
9. What is the significance of this achievement in cricket history?
It makes Virat Kohli the only male cricketer to score over 50 centuries in a single format.
10. Which legendary cricket player commented on Virat Kohli’s achievement?
Sunil Gavaskar praised Kohli, calling him the GOAT of ODIs after surpassing Sachin Tendulkar.
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