Former India captain Virat Kohli smashed his 82nd international century during the first Test match against South Africa at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi. The batting great completed his century with a boundary on the 102nd ball of the first innings, including seven fours and five sixes.
Kohli, who already retired from Tests and T20Is, featured in India for the first time after the Indian Premier League (IPL) where his franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Punjab Kings in the final to win their maiden title. India head coach Gautam Gambhir, who is currently facing a lot of criticism since India's 2-0 defeat against South Africa in the two-Test match series, was seen hugging Kohli in the dressing room. The picture of Kohli and Gambhir went viral in no time.
Virat Kohli surpassed Sachin Tendulkar
With his century against South Africa, Kohli surpassed cricketing god Sachin Tendulkar to smash the most centuries against South Africa.
Tendulkar smashed five ODI centuries against the Proteas, and as Kohli smashed a century in the first ODI, he completed six against South Africa, which is the most by any Indian batter.
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).