by Virat Kohli has established himself as one of cricket’s greatest-ever batsmen through his remarkable ability to score centuries across all formats of the game.
From the traditional five-day Test matches to the explosive Twenty20 encounters, Kohli’s batting prowess has remained consistently exceptional.
His journey from a promising young talent to a batting legend is best told through his century-making exploits that began in 2009 and continue to impress cricket fans worldwide in 2025.
When we look at Kohli’s batting, what stands out isn’t just his technical perfection but also his mental toughness and adaptability.
Whether he’s patiently building an innings in a Test match or accelerating rapidly in a limited-overs game, his hunger for runs remains insatiable.
Each century he scores combines artistry with determination, showcasing his unique ability to dominate bowling attacks in any conditions.
His most recent century—an unbeaten 100 against Pakistan in the 2025 Champions Trophy final—perfectly illustrates why he’s considered a batting maestro.
Virat Kohli Total Centuries in All Format
Chasing 242 runs on a challenging pitch, Kohli played with the perfect blend of caution and aggression. His 111-ball century not only secured India’s victory by six wickets but also demonstrated his exceptional ability to perform under pressure in crucial matches.
This inning added his 51st ODI century to his impressive collection and reinforced his reputation as cricket’s premier “chase master.”
Virat Kohli Centuries In Every Format
Kohli’s versatility across different cricket formats sets him apart from many other great batsmen. Each format demands different skills and mindsets, yet Kohli has mastered the art of century-making in all of them.
Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of his centuries across all formats:
| Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 123 | 210 | 9,230 | 254* | 46.9 | 55.6 | 30 | 31 | 1,027 | 30 |
| ODI | 299 | 287 | 14,085 | 183 | 58.2 | 93.4 | 51 | 73 | 1,318 | 152 |
| T20I | 125 | 117 | 4,188 | 122* | 48.7 | 137.0 | 1 | 38 | 369 | 124 |
| IPL | 252 | 244 | 8,004 | 113 | 38.7 | 132.0 | 8 | 55 | 705 | 272 |
| Total | 799 | 858 | 35,507 | 254* | 48.1 | 104.5 | 90 | 197 | 3,419 | 578 |
Test Match Centuries
Kohli’s 30 Test centuries have come against all major cricketing nations and in diverse conditions around the world. His first Test hundred came against Australia at Adelaide in 2012, where he scored 116 in challenging conditions against a strong bowling attack. Since then, he has accumulated Test hundreds in countries like England, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand—proving his ability to adapt to different pitches and bowling styles.
What makes Kohli’s Test centuries special:
- Technical mastery – His solid technique allows him to handle both pace and spin with equal confidence
- Concentration – Many of his centuries involve spending long hours at the crease
- Situational awareness – He adjusts his batting approach based on match circumstances
- Leading from the front – Several centuries came when he was captain, setting an example for the team
His highest Test score of 254* came against South Africa at Pune in 2019, a marathon innings spanning 336 balls that broke multiple records and showcased his appetite for big scores in the longest format.
One-Day International Centuries
The ODI format is where Kohli has truly set himself apart, with an astonishing 51 centuries in 299 matches. His first ODI hundred came early in his career against Sri Lanka in 2009, and he has maintained an extraordinary consistency in this format ever since.
The defining characteristics of Kohli’s ODI centuries include:
- Chase specialist – About 26 of his ODI hundreds have come while chasing targets, with India winning most of those games
- Calculated aggression – He balances risk and reward perfectly in the 50-over format
- Running between wickets – His fitness allows him to score quickly even without boundaries
- Adaptability – He can adjust his scoring rate based on match situations
His highest ODI score of 183 came against Pakistan in the Asia Cup in 2012, an innings that announced his arrival as a world-class batsman in pressure situations.
T20 International Century
Despite the limited overs and high-risk nature of T20 cricket, Kohli has managed to score one century in T20 Internationals. His 122* against Afghanistan in 2022 came after a prolonged lean period and signaled his return to form.
This rare T20I century is notable because:
- It came at a strike rate of over 200, showing his ability to score quickly
- It combined orthodox shots with innovative strokeplay
- It broke his three-year century drought across all formats
- It demonstrated his ability to construct innings even in the shortest format
IPL Centuries
In the high-pressure environment of the Indian Premier League, Kohli has registered 8 centuries while representing Royal Challengers Bangalore. His ability to score hundreds in franchise cricket, where bowlers specifically plan against star batsmen, further highlights his exceptional batting skills.
Virat Kohli Centuries By Years
Analyzing Kohli’s century-scoring pattern year by year provides fascinating insights into his career trajectory, showcasing his rise, peak, temporary decline, and resurgence.
| Year | Matches | Centuries | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 10 | 1 | First international century |
| 2010 | 27 | 3 | Establishing himself in the team |
| 2011 | 43 | 4 | Part of World Cup winning team |
| 2012 | 40 | 8 | Breakthrough year in international cricket |
| 2013 | 43 | 6 | Consolidating his position |
| 2014 | 38 | 8 | Difficult England tour but strong elsewhere |
| 2015 | 31 | 4 | World Cup performance |
| 2016 | 37 | 7 | Dominated IPL with record runs |
| 2017 | 46 | 11 | Peak form year |
| 2018 | 37 | 11 | Continued excellence across formats |
| 2019 | 44 | 7 | Strong World Cup campaign |
| 2020 | 22 | 0 | Form slump began |
| 2021 | 24 | 0 | Century drought continued |
| 2022 | 37 | 2 | Signs of comeback |
| 2023 | 33 | 8 | Return to prolific form |
| 2024 | 13 | 1 | IPL success |
| 2025 | 5 | 1 | Champions Trophy heroics |
Golden Period (2016-2019)
The years from 2016 to 2019 mark what many consider Kohli’s golden period in international cricket. During these four years, he scored a remarkable 36 centuries across formats, averaging more than 9 centuries per year. The peak came in 2017 and 2018, when he scored 11 centuries in each year—a feat unmatched by any other batsman in this timeframe.
During this period, Kohli:
- Mastered challenging overseas conditions
- Led India as captain while maintaining his batting excellence
- Set new standards for fitness and consistency
- Dominated bowling attacks from all countries
His performance in the 2018 tour of England, where he scored two centuries after struggling in his previous tour, showed his ability to learn from past failures and overcome technical weaknesses.
Challenging Phase (2020-2021)
Every great player faces challenges, and Kohli’s came during 2020 and 2021 when he experienced an unprecedented century drought. For the first time in his career since becoming an established player, he went two full calendar years without scoring a single century in any format.
Several factors contributed to this difficult phase:
- COVID-19 disruptions affecting cricket schedules and mental preparation
- Captaincy pressures across all formats
- Technical issues outside the off stump
- Increased scrutiny from opposition teams and media
Despite not scoring centuries, Kohli still maintained a decent average during this period, showing his professionalism even when not at his best.
Resurgence (2022-2025)
Kohli’s return to century-scoring form began in 2022 with his T20I century against Afghanistan. By 2023, he was back to his prolific best, scoring 8 centuries across formats, including important hundreds in the ODI World Cup.
His resurgence has been characterized by:
- Renewed focus after stepping down from captaincy duties
- Technical adjustments to counter specific weaknesses
- More selective shot-making, especially early in his innings
- Visible enjoyment of the game again
His most recent century in the 2025 Champions Trophy final against Pakistan shows that even at this stage of his career, he remains a match-winner in important games.
Centuries By Virat Kohli In IPL
The Indian Premier League has witnessed some spectacular centuries from Kohli over the years. Each of his IPL hundreds has showcased different aspects of his batting brilliance.
| Runs | Balls | Against | 6s | 4s | Venue | Date | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100* | 63 | Gujarat Lions | 1 | 11 | Saurashtra CA Stadium | 24-04-2016 | 158.73 |
| 108* | 58 | Rising Pune Supergiant | 8 | 8 | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | 07-05-2016 | 186.21 |
| 109 | 55 | Gujarat Lions | 8 | 5 | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | 14-05-2016 | 198.18 |
| 113 | 50 | Kings XI Punjab | 8 | 12 | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | 18-05-2016 | 226.00 |
| 100 | 58 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 4 | 9 | Eden Gardens | 19-04-2019 | 172.41 |
| 100 | 63 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 4 | 12 | Rajiv Gandhi Stadium | 18-05-2023 | 158.73 |
| 101* | 61 | Gujarat Titans | 1 | 13 | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | 21-05-2023 | 165.57 |
| 113* | 72 | Rajasthan Royals | 4 | 12 | Sawai Mansingh Stadium | 06-04-2024 | 156.94 |
The Historic 2016 IPL Season
The 2016 IPL season remains etched in cricket history as Kohli’s most extraordinary T20 performance. During this season, he scored four centuries—a feat unmatched by any player in a single IPL season. His aggregate of 973 runs at an average of 81.08 set a record for most runs in an IPL season that still stands.
What made his 2016 IPL performance special:
- Three of his four centuries came at strike rates above 180
- His hundreds came against different oppositions, showing his adaptability
- He scored these centuries while captaining his team
- Most of his big innings contributed to team victories
Recent IPL Centuries (2023-2024)
After a gap of a few years, Kohli returned to scoring IPL centuries in 2023, with back-to-back hundreds against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans. His most recent IPL century came in 2024 against Rajasthan Royals, where he scored 113* off 72 balls, showcasing his enduring class in the format.
These recent IPL centuries have featured:
- More measured approach at the start
- Strategic targeting of specific bowlers
- Excellent partnerships with fellow batsmen
- Smart use of experience to pace his innings
FAQs About Virat Kohli’s Centuries
- How many total centuries has Virat Kohli scored in international cricket?
Virat Kohli has scored 82 international centuries across all formats – 30 in Tests, 51 in ODIs, and 1 in T20Is. When combined with his 8 IPL centuries, his total rises to 90 professional centuries in top-level cricket.
- Who has more centuries: Virat Kohli or Sachin Tendulkar?
Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for most international centuries with 100 (51 in Tests and 49 in ODIs). Kohli currently has 82 international centuries and is the only active player with a realistic chance of breaking Tendulkar’s record.
- What is special about Kohli’s ODI centuries?
Kohli’s ODI centuries are special because of his exceptional record while chasing targets. Over 26 of his 51 ODI hundreds have come in run chases, with India winning a remarkable percentage of those games. This ability to perform under the pressure of a chase has earned him the nickname “Chase Master.”
- What was Kohli’s longest century drought?
Kohli went 1,020 days without scoring a century in any format between November 2019 and September 2022. This was his longest drought since becoming an established international player.
- Which of Kohli’s centuries is considered his best?
While opinions vary, many cricket experts consider his 141 against Australia at Adelaide in 2014 as his best Test century. In ODIs, his 183 against Pakistan in 2012 and his 160* against South Africa in 2018 are highly rated. His lone T20I century of 122* against Afghanistan is naturally his best in that format.
- Has Kohli scored a century in ICC tournament finals?
Yes, Kohli has scored centuries in ICC tournament finals. His most recent was an unbeaten 100 against Pakistan in the 2025 Champions Trophy final, playing a crucial role in India’s victory.
- Which format has been Kohli’s most successful for scoring centuries?
ODI cricket has been Kohli’s most successful format for scoring centuries, with 51 hundreds in 299 matches. This gives him a century every 5.86 ODI matches, which is the best century-per-match ratio among players with significant careers.
- Has Kohli scored centuries in all countries where India has played?
Kohli has scored international centuries in most major cricket-playing nations, including Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, and the West Indies. This demonstrates his ability to adapt to different playing conditions around the world.
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Conclusion: Virat Kohli Has 82 International Centuries Across All Formats
With 82 international centuries (30 in Tests, 51 in ODIs, and 1 in T20I) and 8 in the IPL, Virat Kohli’s century-making record places him among cricket’s all-time greats. What makes his achievement particularly impressive is how he has maintained excellence across three very different formats of the game, each requiring unique skills and mindsets.
Kohli’s century collection tells the story of a batsman who has continuously evolved his game to meet new challenges. From his early days as a talented but sometimes rash young batsman to his current status as a batting master who combines classical technique with modern aggression, his journey is reflected in the quality and context of his hundreds.
The value of Kohli’s centuries extends beyond personal milestones—they have directly contributed to team success. Many of his hundreds have:
- Helped India win critical matches
- Enabled successful run chases in pressure situations
- Come against quality bowling attacks
- Been scored in overseas conditions
- Turned the tide in important series
His ability to overcome a significant century drought in 2020-2021 and return to his prolific best shows his mental resilience and problem-solving capacity. While many great players have struggled to regain their best form after such a prolonged lean period, Kohli’s determination and work ethic allowed him to make the necessary adjustments to his game.
As Kohli continues his cricket journey, the question of whether he can surpass Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 100 international centuries looms large. With 82 hundreds already to his name and still performing at a high level, the target is certainly within reach if he maintains his fitness and form for a few more years.
Regardless of whether he breaks the record, Kohli’s century-making legacy is already secure. His combination of technical excellence, fitness standards, mental strength, and adaptability across formats has redefined batting excellence for the modern era. For cricket fans worldwide, each Kohli century isn’t just a statistic—it’s a masterclass in batting that showcases the beautiful blend of art and science that makes cricket such a compelling sport.
As we analyze his impressive collection of centuries, we recognize that behind each hundred lies countless hours of preparation, unwavering discipline, and the relentless pursuit of excellence that defines Virat Kohli as a cricketer. His century-making journey stands as an inspiration not just for aspiring cricketers but for anyone striving for excellence in their field.
