After his explosive 135 off 120 balls in the first ODI at Ranchi — where he smashed 11 fours and seven sixes — Virat Kohli once again proved his class in the second ODI against South Africa national cricket team, this time in a more measured fashion.
In Raipur, he compiled a composed 102 off 93 balls, punctuated by seven boundaries and two sixes. The knock blended aggression with restraint: his shot selection against both pace and spin, along with his sharp running between the wickets, showed he remains at the peak of his craft — reminiscent of his prime years.
Record After Record — Redefining the Benchmarks
With this century in Raipur, Kohli now boasts 46 hundreds at the No. 3 batting position — the highest number of centuries ever recorded at a single batting slot in cricket, across all formats. In accomplishing this, he overtook a legendary mark held by Sachin Tendulkar, who amassed 45 centuries as an opener in ODIs. This milestone cements Kohli’s status not just as a prolific scorer, but as a batsman who has mastered consistency at one particular position — a testament to his adaptability and sustained excellence over years of international cricket.
Moreover, what adds context to this feat is that this came as part of back-to-back centuries in the series — a streak not many can match. It reinforces the notion that even at this stage of his career, Kohli’s hunger for big scores remains undiminished.
Beyond Stats — Legacy and Longevity at Stake
This series of performances does more than just add numbers to Kohli’s record book. It fuels broader discussions about his place in cricketing history and even about how long players of his stature can remain relevant at the top level. Observers have noted that veterans like Kohli — now aged 37 — and peers like Rohit Sharma could realistically continue to contribute meaningfully until major tournaments like the 2027 Cricket World Cup, provided they maintain their form and fitness.
In a sport where careers often rise and fade with form and fitness, Kohli’s continued dominance — exemplified by this latest century — speaks volumes about his mental discipline, technical finesse and unwavering ambition. Whether this innings becomes another milestone in his already storied journey, it certainly strengthens the argument that he remains one of the finest limited-over batsmen of his generation.
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