Virat Kohli breaks a Sachin Tendulkar record with his 52nd ODI century

Virat Kohli might not surpass Sachin Tendulkar in terms of greatness, but he broke another record held by the iconic batter with a century against South Africa in the first ODI in Ranchi on Sunday.

Kohli's 120-ball 135 that comprised 11 boundaries and seven sixes was his 52nd ODI century. By crossing the milestone, 37-year-old Kohli became the player with the most international centuries in a single format. He broke the record of 51 centuries Sachin made in Test cricket.

Kohli had already broken Sachin's record for most centuries in ODIs two years ago. Sachin retired with 100 international tons, including 49 in ODIs. Kohli hit his 50th ODI century in November 2023 against New Zealand at Wankhede.

However, Kohli is a long way off Sachin's ODI career runs of 18,426 from 452 innings. Kohli has 14,390 runs in ODIs from 294 innings.

The confidence and clarity with which Kohli batted in Ranchi gave a feeling that he might play a longer innings, and break his highest score of 183, and even cross 200, like Sachin famously did.

However, he gifted a catch to Rickelton off Nandre Burger's bowling, signalling an end to a beautiful innings.