Virat Kohli has dominated the game for more than a decade without the shadow of a doubt. The consummate surgeon at the crease showcased his mettle across formats. He was the best three-format player in the world at his prime.
There was a time when Kohli averaged more than 50 in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is at the same time, a record that showed his mastery across the board. No other cricketer had done that before. Over the years, he built his career on hunger, fitness, and mental strength, which allowed him to stay at the top.
For the record, Virat Kohli has already retired from Tests and T20Is. He achieved almost everything there was to achieve. The veteran cricketer even won the 2024 T20 World Cup and accomplished a long-cherished dream before bidding adieu to the shortest format.
As of now, Virat Kohli focuses only on ODIs. It is worth noting that his records stand tall and may remain untouched for years to come. In this listicle, let’s take a glimpse at the six ODI records that look nearly impossible for future generations to break.
1. Virat Kohli hit most centuries in ODI cricket
Virat Kohli hogged the limelight when he scored 51 centuries in ODIs. Notably, he edged past his idol Sachin Tendulkar’s tally of 49 centuries. This is the crown jewel of his cricketing career.
The sheer number itself is staggering. With the rise of T20 cricket, players today don’t get the same long ODI careers. The next best active batter is Rohit Sharma, who is actually far behind. It is hard to see anyone matching Kohli’s fitness levels, discipline, and ability to stay consistent across so many years. This record looks untouchable.
2. Virat Kohli scored most hundreds in successful run-chases
They call him the “Chase Master” for a reason. The experienced campaigner scored as many as 24 centuries in successful run-chases, more than anyone else in ODI history. Many of these knocks came under pressure, often against top bowling attacks, when India needed someone to guide them home. Apart from just scoring runs, he was finishing games, pacing his innings perfectly.
3. Virat Kohli: Fastest to every major run milestone
From 8,000 runs to 13,000 runs, Kohli has been the fastest to reach every ODI run milestone. The standout among these is his 10,000 runs, which he got in just 205 innings. That was 54 innings quicker than Sachin Tendulkar. The gap is so huge that it is hard to imagine anyone closing it. With modern schedules favouring T20s, this level of run accumulation in ODIs may never be repeated.
4. Most runs in a World Cup edition
Kohli scored 765 runs in the 2023 ODI World Cup. In the process, he went on to break Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record of 673 in 2003.
This was vintage Kohli, wherein he was consistent, composed, and hungry on the biggest stage of them all. Across 11 matches, he barely gave bowlers a chance. With only a handful of games in each World Cup, it is unlikely anyone else will dominate an entire edition like this again.
ALSO WATCH: Captain Cool MS Dhoni gives an Amusing Reply to a fan who asked him to play IPL 2026
5. Highest batting average (10,000+ runs) in ODIs
Among batters with more than 10,000 ODI runs, Kohli has the highest average of 57.88. Maintaining such consistency over nearly 300 matches is remarkable. It is quite evident that conditions, oppositions, and formats changed, but Kohli’s numbers never dipped. In fact, he made consistency his identity. For future players, sustaining such an average across such a long career will be a mountain too steep to climb.
6. Most centuries against one opponent
Kohli has scored 10 ODI centuries against Sri Lanka, the most by any batter against a single team. He has scored multiple centuries against big teams like Australia and West Indies. Scoring repeatedly against the same opponents is not easy at all in the first place as one requires adaptability and hunger to do that.
