Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag lavished praise on Virat Kohli as the batting maestro smashed his 83rd international century during the first ODI against South Africa at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi. Kohli, who featured in India after the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, smashed his 52nd ODI century with a boundary. The batting great took 102 balls to reach the 100-run mark.
Sehwag, who featured alongside young Kohli during his early days, took his 'X' formerly known as Twitter to praise the legendary batter.
"Virat Kohli ne phir dikhaya run banana unke liye utna hi aasaan hai jitna hamare liye chai banana. 52nd ODI century. Kohli is not chasing records; records are chasing Kohli. Aaj bhi bhook wahi, junoon wahi. King stays King!" wrote Sehwag on X.
Kohli, who smashed an international century after the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, has overcome compatriot and iconic batter Sachin Tendulkar's mark of 51 Test centuries to become the batter with the most centuries in a single format of the sport.
Virat Kohli's international centuries
Virat Kohli now has 83 international centuries, with 30 in Test matches, 52 in One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 1 in Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). He is the second-highest scorer of international centuries behind Sachin Tendulkar. Kohli's last century came in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in a Group Stage clash against Pakistan at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai.
India vs South Africa 1st ODI
Senior batter Virat Kohli’s awesome genius in the 50-over format was on full view during his 52nd hundred that guided India to a strong 349 for eight against South Africa in the first ODI of the three-match series here on Sunday.
Kohli’s 135 (120 balls, 11b, 7x6) and his 136-run stand with long-time associate Rohit Sharma (57, 51b) was the engine room of India’s charge to a 300-plus total.
Brief scores: India: 349/8 in 50 overs (Virat Kohli 135, Rohit Sharma 57, KL Rahul 60; Ottneil Baartman 2/60, Nandre Burger 2/65).