Virat Kohli 85th Century: Indian cricket fans witnessed another unforgettable moment on January 18, 2026, as Virat Kohli etched his name deeper into history at the Holkar Stadium. Playing the decisive ODI against New Zealand, Kohli brought up his 85th international century, once again proving why he is regarded as one of the greatest batters the game has ever seen.
The milestone hundred — his 54th in ODIs — came with a classic Kohli flourish, a flick through mid-wicket that sent the Indore crowd into raptures. More importantly, it reignited a long-running cricketing debate: Can Kohli realistically reach or surpass the legendary 100 international centuries set by Sachin Tendulkar?
Kohli vs Tendulkar: Century Race (Jan 2026)
| Category | Virat Kohli | Sachin Tendulkar |
|---|---|---|
| Total International Centuries | 85 | 100 |
| ODI Centuries | 54 | 49 |
| Test Centuries | 30 | 51 |
| T20I Centuries | 1 | 0 |
| Career Status | Active (ODIs only) | Retired |
How Realistic Is the Chase?
Having retired from Test cricket in 2025 and T20Is earlier, Kohli’s road to 100 now depends entirely on ODIs. Encouragingly, his recent form suggests a batter enjoying a remarkable late-career surge. Since 2025, Kohli has been scoring an ODI century approximately once every 4–5 innings, a rate that rivals his prime years.
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India is expected to play around 40–45 ODIs before the end of the 2027 ODI World Cup, including major overseas tours, home series, and the World Cup itself. At his current scoring frequency, Kohli could realistically finish the tournament with 94–96 international centuries.
Reaching 100 centuries will demand longevity, peak fitness, and sustained consistency beyond the 2027 World Cup. While the challenge is enormous, Kohli’s hunger, discipline, and unmatched ODI pedigree keep the dream alive. His 85th century is not just another statistic — it is a powerful reminder that the “Chase Master” is still rewriting cricket history.
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