On Sunday, January 18, India’s star batsman Virat Kohli scored a sparkling century in the third One-Day International against New Zealand in Indore. Unfortunately, the Men in Blue lost by 41 runs and finished 1-2 in the series.
New Zealand, who batted first, posted a formidable 337/8. India got close as Virat Kohli’s sparkling hundred, but were eventually bowled out for 296 in 46 overs. Kohli’s 124 runs came off only 108 balls, and were laced with 10 fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 114.81.
But his sensory ton was not good enough as there wasn’t enough support from the other end. Most significantly, his 54th ODI hundred, and 85th in all forms. Kohli ended the series with 240 runs from three games at an average of 80, which included a hundred and a fifty.
On that point, let’s look at four records set by the star batter during his 124-run performance.
4. Most 100s vs New Zealand in ODIs
Virat Kohli’s century in the third ODI was his seventh against New Zealand in the format of ODIs in 36 innings. With that, he became the batsman with the most hundreds against Kiwis in ODIs.
He was earlier level with Ricky Ponting, who had six hundreds from 50 innings. But Kohli eclipsed him to become the record holder. He also drew level with Virender Sehwag on the number of centuries – six. Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya follow with five centuries apiece.
3. Hundreds in most grounds in ODIs
Virat Kohli’s Indore hundred was also his 35th ODI ton at a different venue. By doing so, he became a batsman to score hundreds at the most number of venues in the format. Kohli on Wednesday surpassed Sachin Tendulkar to smash the fastest ODI century in the process, reaching his 33rd ton at Newlands, Cape Town.
Rohit Sharma is at the third place with centuries at 26 venues in ODIs. Ricky Ponting comes next, with ODI hundreds at 21 venues. He shares the position with Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers for most ground ODI centuries (21 for both).
2. Most Hundreds against New Zealand (all formats)
Virat Kohli now has the most ODI hundreds against New Zealand and the highest number of tons versus them across formats. Now, he has 10 centuries against the Kiwis from 73 innings. This includes seven ODI tons and three in Tests.
Kohli surpassed the record held by iconic all-rounder Jacques Kallis. Kallis hit 9 hundreds against New Zealand in 76 innings. Kohli also raced ahead of Joe Root (nine hundreds from 71 innings) and Tendulkar (nine hundreds from 80 innings).
1. Most runs at No.3 in ODIs
Virat Kohli is perhaps the best at number three in terms of batters — there’s no debating that in ODI cricket. He reminded everyone why he’s such an asset in that position with his brilliant ton.
Kohli as of now has 12,676 runs in ODIs batting at number three, thanks to his innings of 124. It has come in 244 innings at an average of 61.53, with a strike rate almost invariably in the mid-80s; he has scored 47 hundreds and 67 fifties. He overtook Ricky Ponting to become the highest run-scorer at that position by a batsman in ODIs.
And Ponting retired with 12,662 runs at one-down in 330 innings, averaging 42.48 with 29 centuries and 74 half-centuries.
