Virat Kohli produced yet another masterful ODI innings in Ranchi on 30 November 2025, breaking the record for the most centuries against South Africa in the format. His latest hundred took him past Sachin Tendulkar and David Warner, giving him six ODI centuries against the Proteas — the highest by any batter.
Kohli brought up his century off 102 balls in the first ODI on Sunday, punching a slightly dragged delivery from Marco Jansen through short third man before celebrating with a leap and a clenched fist. He went on to score a superb 135 from 120 deliveries, striking 7 sixes and 11 fours.
He had already surpassed Tendulkar earlier for the most ODI centuries overall, and this innings — his 52nd hundred — extended that record even further. It was also his third century in just five ODI innings in Ranchi.
Having retired from Test and international T20 cricket, Kohli looked assured from the outset. He found a boundary off the first ball he faced, albeit off the edge, then followed with a crisp four off Nandre Burger. He later sent Ortneil Bartman over the ropes and struck Corbin Bosch for consecutive sixes to reach his fifty in 48 balls.
Kohli motored along confidently, completing his hundred in the 38th over before switching gears again. He took 16 runs off Prenelan Subrayen with two sixes and a four, and then drove Bartman for further boundaries.
His innings finally ended in the 43rd over when he mistimed a slower delivery from Burger, allowing Ryan Rickelton to sprint back from cover and take a fine running catch.
India built strongly around Kohli’s innings, with Rohit Sharma (57) and KL Rahul (60) adding fifties as the hosts posted 349 for 8.
