Incredible Stats Show Virat Kohli Overshadowing Pakistan, Australia, South Africa And Other Nations In ODIs
Published - 04 Dec 2025, 12:23 PM | Updated - 04 Dec 2025, 12:24 PM
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Virat Kohli once again delivered a breathtaking display of batting brilliance at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur, but even his heroics couldn’t stop South Africa from pulling off a nail-biting series-leveling chase against India on Wednesday, December 3.
Kohli’s majestic 102 went in vain as Aiden Markram’s fiery 110 guided the Proteas to a stunning four-wicket victory with just four balls to spare against India in the second ODI in Raipur. The three-match ODI series now heads to a high-stakes decider in Visakhapatnam on November 6.
For the first time ever, an India-South Africa ODI match saw more than 700 runs scored in total. Additionally, South Africa scripted the history by chasing the third-highest chase in an ODI in India.
Virat Kohli equals Sachin Tendulkar, extends back-to-back century record
It was Kohli’s 53rd ODI century and 84th in international cricket. The former Indian captain was at his vintage best, blending perfect timing, exquisite placement, and calm under pressure. He stitched a record 195-run partnership with Ruturaj Gaikwad (105).
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But South Africa still managed to outclass India. However, this century was historic for multiple reasons. Kohli has now scored hundreds at 34 different ODI venues, equalling the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, with Rohit Sharma (26) far behind among active players.
This stunning century also extended his staggering record of back-to-back ODI centuries, marking the 11th time he has achieved this feat—the most by any player in the world. Not just that, with the Raipur century, the dashing right-hander has taken his ODI dominance to a whole new level.
Virat Kohli dominates No. 3 in ODIs, leaving top teams behind
Since November 2, 2009, the Indian batting superstar has scored 46 centuries at the No. 3 position, a feat so remarkable that it surpasses the total centuries scored by some of the strongest cricketing nations in the same period in the format at the crucial batting position.
Kohli’s ability to anchor innings, chase targets, and deliver under pressure has made him the most reliable No. 3 batter in ODI cricket history. While top teams struggle collectively to match the right-handed batter’s consistency, he achieved the incredible feat single-handedly.
Actually, Kohli alone has more centuries at No. 3 than Pakistan’s entire team (32), Sri Lanka (26), Australia (24), and South Africa (24) combined within the same criteria in ODIs. This comparison highlights just how extraordinary his consistency and impact have been over more than a decade.
A crazy Virat Kohli stats. 🤯🔥 pic.twitter.com/1HxElT4z7W
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 4, 2025
Tim Southee backs Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for 2027 ODI World Cup
Meanwhile, former New Zealand pacer and current England coach Tim Southee emphasized that age shouldn’t matter for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as long as they keep performing amid the uncertainty over their 2027 ODI World Cup spots.
Tim Southee said, as quoted by India Today, “Kohli is arguably the best ever one-day batsman, and if he is still performing, then why not? Rohit also scored a hundred a few days ago in Australia, so they are still performing. As long as they are contributing to the side, I believe age is only a number.”
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