by In the world of cricket, few achievements capture the imagination quite like scoring a century. It represents the pinnacle of batting excellence, requiring skill, concentration, and mental fortitude. When we discuss century specialists in modern cricket, Virat Kohli stands in a league of his own. His remarkable ability to score hundreds across different formats, conditions, and against various opponents makes him one of cricket’s greatest batsmen.
From the dusty grounds of Delhi where he began his journey to the grand stadiums around the world where he now dominates, Kohli’s century-making has been a consistent feature of his illustrious career. Starting with his first international hundred against Sri Lanka in 2009, he has gone on to accumulate an astonishing collection of centuries that showcase his evolution as a batsman and his impact on the game.
What’s truly impressive about Kohli’s centuries isn’t just the quantity but the quality and significance. Whether it’s a patient Test hundred on a difficult pitch, a perfectly paced ODI century in a run chase, a rare T20 hundred, or an explosive IPL innings, Kohli’s centuries often come when his team needs them most. His recent unbeaten 100 in the 2025 Champions Trophy final against Pakistan – his 51st ODI century – perfectly illustrates this trait, as he guided India to victory in a high-pressure encounter.
Virat Kohli Total Centuries in All Format
As we explore Kohli’s remarkable century collection, we’ll discover the patterns, techniques, and mental approaches that have enabled him to become such a prolific century-maker. We’ll analyze his achievements format by format, track his century-scoring journey year by year, and examine his memorable IPL hundreds. For cricket enthusiasts and Kohli fans alike, this deep dive into his century milestones offers fascinating insights into the batting mastery of a modern cricket icon.
Virat Kohli Centuries In Every Format [With Table]
Kohli’s century-making ability transcends formats, showcasing his versatility as a batsman. From the traditional five-day Test matches to the frantic pace of T20 cricket, he has demonstrated his ability to adapt and excel in all conditions.
| 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 |
The Art of Test Match Centuries
Kohli’s 30 Test centuries showcase his technical mastery and mental strength in the longest format. His first Test hundred came against Australia at Adelaide in 2012, a breakthrough moment that announced his arrival as a world-class Test batsman. Since then, his Test centuries have become a study in batting excellence.
Key features of Kohli’s Test hundreds include:
- Solid technique – His compact stance, precise footwork, and water-tight defense form the foundation of his Test batting
- Shot selection – He shows remarkable patience early in his innings, waiting for the right balls to score from
- Endurance – Many of his Test hundreds involve batting for several sessions, showing his physical and mental stamina
- Adaptability – He has scored Test centuries in diverse conditions across Australia, England, South Africa, and the West Indies
Some of his most memorable Test centuries include his 141 against Australia at Adelaide in 2014 (though in a losing cause), his 235 against England at Mumbai in 2016, and his career-best 254* against South Africa at Pune in 2019.
Dominance in One-Day Internationals
With 51 ODI centuries, Kohli has established himself as one of the greatest ODI batsmen of all time. Only Sachin Tendulkar (49 ODI hundreds) comes close to Kohli’s achievement in this format. What makes his ODI hundreds special is his mastery of the run chase – more than half of his ODI centuries have come while pursuing targets.
Distinctive traits of Kohli’s ODI centuries:
- Calculated aggression – He balances risk and reward perfectly in the 50-over format
- Game awareness – His understanding of when to consolidate and when to accelerate is exceptional
- Fitness advantage – His superior fitness allows him to maintain intensity throughout long innings
- Psychological edge – He thrives under the pressure of run chases, often demoralizing bowling attacks
His 183 against Pakistan in the 2012 Asia Cup stands as his highest ODI score and one of his most explosive innings. Other notable ODI hundreds include his 160* against South Africa in 2018 and his 107 against Pakistan in the 2025 Champions Trophy final.
The Lone T20 International Century
Despite the challenging nature of scoring centuries in the shortest format, Kohli has managed one T20I century – a brilliant 122* against Afghanistan in 2022. This innings was particularly significant as it came after his long century drought and marked his return to form.
What made this century special:
- It came at a strike rate of over 200, showing his ability to score quickly
- It combined orthodox shots with innovative stroke-play
- It demonstrated his ability to pace a T20 innings perfectly
- It came after nearly three years without an international century
IPL Century Showcase
In the high-pressure environment of the Indian Premier League, Kohli has compiled 8 centuries while representing Royal Challengers Bangalore. His IPL hundreds showcase his ability to combine classical batting with T20 innovations.
Virat Kohli Centuries By Years [With Table]
Looking at Kohli’s century-scoring journey chronologically reveals fascinating patterns about his development as a batsman and the various phases of his career.
| Year | Matches | Centuries | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 10 | 1 | First ODI century against Sri Lanka |
| 2010 | 27 | 3 | Growing consistency in limited-overs cricket |
| 2011 | 43 | 4 | Part of World Cup winning team |
| 2012 | 40 | 8 | First Test century in Australia; breakthrough year |
| 2013 | 43 | 6 | Consolidated position as team’s batting mainstay |
| 2014 | 38 | 8 | Challenging England tour but success elsewhere |
| 2015 | 31 | 4 | Took over Test captaincy; World Cup performance |
| 2016 | 37 | 7 | Record-breaking IPL season with 4 centuries |
| 2017 | 46 | 11 | Career-best year across formats |
| 2018 | 37 | 11 | Conquered England; continued dominance |
| 2019 | 44 | 7 | Highest Test score (254*); World Cup campaign |
| 2020 | 22 | 0 | Beginning of century drought during pandemic |
| 2021 | 24 | 0 | Continued struggles with form |
| 2022 | 37 | 2 | End of century drought with T20I hundred |
| 2023 | 33 | 8 | Strong return to form; World Cup hundreds |
| 2024 | 13 | 1 | IPL century against Rajasthan Royals |
| 2025 | 5 | 1 | Champions Trophy final century vs Pakistan |
Foundation Years (2009-2011)
Kohli’s century-scoring journey began with his maiden ODI hundred against Sri Lanka in 2009. During these early years, he accumulated 8 centuries as he established himself in international cricket. These formative hundreds showed glimpses of his potential but lacked the consistency and dominance that would later become his trademark.
Key characteristics of this phase:
- More aggressive approach, sometimes leading to risky shots
- Limited experience in handling different bowling attacks
- Growing confidence with each successful innings
- Finding his place in a team still dominated by senior players
Rise to Prominence (2012-2015)
From 2012 to 2015, Kohli scored 26 centuries across formats as he transformed from a promising talent to a batting superstar. The year 2012 was particularly significant with 8 centuries, including his first Test hundred in Australia, a defining moment in his career.
During this period, he:
- Refined his technique against different types of bowling
- Developed a more mature approach to building innings
- Established himself as the team’s premier batsman
- Started showing his special ability in run chases
Golden Era (2016-2019)
The years 2016-2019 marked Kohli’s absolute prime as a batsman, with an incredible 36 centuries across formats in just four years. This golden period peaked in 2017 and 2018, when he scored 11 centuries in each year – an unprecedented feat of consistency.
During this dominant phase:
- He averaged over 70 in Test cricket for extended periods
- He conquered conditions that had previously challenged him
- He combined technical excellence with peak physical fitness
- He led from the front as captain while maintaining batting excellence
The Challenging Phase (2020-2021)
Even the greatest players face difficult periods, and Kohli experienced his most challenging phase during 2020 and 2021. For the first time since becoming an established player, he went through two consecutive years without scoring a single century in any format.
Factors that contributed to this unusual drought:
- COVID-19 disruptions affecting cricket schedules and mental preparation
- Technical issues – particularly against deliveries in the corridor outside off stump
- Captaincy pressures across all formats
- Heightened expectations after his golden era
The Comeback (2022-2025)
Kohli’s return to century-scoring form began with his T20I century against Afghanistan in September 2022. Since then, he has added 12 more centuries to his tally across formats, showing his ability to overcome challenges and reinvent his game.
This resurgence has been characterized by:
- Greater selectivity in shot-making, especially early in innings
- Renewed focus after stepping down from captaincy responsibilities
- Technical adjustments to address specific weaknesses
- Visible enjoyment of cricket again after the pressure-filled drought
Centuries By Virat Kohli In IPL [With Table]
The Indian Premier League has witnessed some spectacular centuries from Kohli, all scored for Royal Challengers Bangalore. His 8 IPL hundreds have showcased different aspects of his T20 batting brilliance.
| Runs | Balls | Against | 6s | 4s | Venue | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100* | 63 | Gujarat Lions | 1 | 11 | Saurashtra CA Stadium | 24-04-2016 | Won |
| 108* | 58 | Rising Pune Supergiant | 8 | 8 | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | 07-05-2016 | Lost |
| 109 | 55 | Gujarat Lions | 8 | 5 | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | 14-05-2016 | Won |
| 113 | 50 | Kings XI Punjab | 8 | 12 | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | 18-05-2016 | Won |
| 100 | 58 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 4 | 9 | Eden Gardens | 19-04-2019 | Lost |
| 100 | 63 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 4 | 12 | Rajiv Gandhi Stadium | 18-05-2023 | Won |
| 101* | 61 | Gujarat Titans | 1 | 13 | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | 21-05-2023 | Won |
| 113* | 72 | Rajasthan Royals | 4 | 12 | Sawai Mansingh Stadium | 06-04-2024 | Won |
The Historic 2016 IPL Season
The 2016 IPL season stands as one of the greatest individual batting performances in T20 cricket history. During this season, Kohli scored four centuries – a record for a single IPL season that remains unbroken. His season aggregate of 973 runs at an average of 81.08 is still the highest run tally in an IPL season.
What made his 2016 IPL performance extraordinary:
- Four centuries in a single season – no other batsman has scored more than two
- His 113 off 50 balls against Kings XI Punjab – came at a strike rate of 226.00
- Consistency across the tournament – maintained form throughout all matches
- Balance between aggression and stability – provided both to his team
Return to IPL Century Form (2019-2024)
After his incredible 2016 season, Kohli had to wait until 2019 for his next IPL century. In recent years, he has added four more IPL hundreds to his tally, with back-to-back centuries in 2023 and another in 2024.
These recent IPL centuries demonstrate his evolved T20 approach:
- More measured beginnings – starting cautiously before accelerating
- Strategic targeting of specific bowlers
- Experience-driven innings construction – using his vast knowledge to pace his innings
- Adapting to different venues – scoring hundreds at home and away grounds
The Science Behind Kohli’s Century-Making
What makes Kohli such a prolific century-maker? Beyond natural talent, several factors contribute to his extraordinary ability to convert starts into hundreds across formats.
Technical Excellence
- Balanced stance – Allows him to play both front-foot and back-foot shots with equal comfort
- Precise footwork – Helps him get into optimal positions against different types of bowling
- Strong bottom-hand grip – Enables powerful driving through the off-side
- Head position – Stays still at the moment of delivery, improving balance and shot execution
Mental Approach
- Hunger for big scores – Never satisfied with fifties, always looking to convert
- Concentration powers – Ability to maintain focus for long periods
- Situational awareness – Understanding match context and pacing innings accordingly
- Handling pressure – Performs best when stakes are highest
Physical Fitness
- Endurance – Can bat for long hours without fatigue affecting technique
- Running between wickets – Superior fitness allows him to score quick singles and twos
- Recovery between matches – Fitness regime enables consistent performance across busy schedules
- Diet and lifestyle – Disciplined approach to nutrition supports performance
Strategic Thinking
- Game reading – Understands when to attack and when to consolidate
- Field awareness – Identifies gaps and scoring opportunities
- Bowler analysis – Studies opposition bowlers to target their weaknesses
- Risk management – Calculates risk vs. reward for different shots in different situations
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 T20I. 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 Kohli’s conversion rate from fifties to centuries?
Kohli has one of the best conversion rates from fifties to centuries among top batsmen. In Tests, he has 30 centuries and 31 fifties, giving him a conversion rate of nearly 50% – significantly higher than most other great batsmen who typically convert around 30-35% of their fifties into hundreds.
Which country has been Kohli’s favorite for scoring centuries?
Kohli has scored the most international centuries in India (his home country), followed by Australia and Sri Lanka. His ability to score hundreds in Australian conditions is particularly noteworthy given the challenging nature of pitches and quality of bowling attacks there.
What was Kohli’s longest period without scoring a century?
Kohli went 1,020 days (nearly three years) without scoring an international century between November 2019 and September 2022. This was his longest drought since becoming an established international player.
Has Kohli scored centuries in all ICC tournaments?
Yes, Kohli has scored centuries in multiple ICC tournaments including the World Cup, Champions Trophy, and World T20. His most recent was the century against Pakistan in the 2025 Champions Trophy final.
What makes Kohli’s century-making different from other great batsmen?
Kohli’s century-making stands out for his exceptional conversion rate (turning fifties into hundreds), his success in run chases, his consistency across different formats, and his ability to score hundreds in all conditions around the world.
How many of Kohli’s centuries have resulted in victory?
A significant majority of Kohli’s ODI centuries (approximately 35 out of 51) have come in winning causes, highlighting his impact on match outcomes. His Test centuries have a more mixed record in terms of results, but many have put India in strong positions.
Conclusion: Virat Kohli Has 82 International Centuries Across All Formats
With 82 international centuries across all formats, Virat Kohli has established himself as one of cricket’s greatest century-makers. His ability to score hundreds consistently in Tests, ODIs, and even T20 cricket demonstrates a versatility that few batsmen in cricket history can match.
What elevates Kohli’s century-making achievement is the context and quality of these innings. His hundreds have:
- Come against all major cricketing nations
- Been scored in diverse and challenging conditions around the world
- Often led to team victories, especially in ODI run chases
- Showcased technical excellence combined with mental fortitude
- Demonstrated his adaptability across different formats and situations
The statistical breakdown of his centuries reveals a batting journey with distinct phases – from his early development to his golden period, through a challenging drought, and into his recent resurgence. This pattern mirrors the natural evolution of a great sportsperson, with periods of dominance, challenges, adaptation, and renewed success.
Kohli’s ability to overcome his extended century drought in 2020-2021 speaks volumes about his character and determination. Where many would have faltered permanently, he made the necessary technical and mental adjustments to return to his century-scoring ways – adding 12 more hundreds to his tally since September 2022.
As he continues his cricketing journey, the question of whether Kohli can surpass Tendulkar’s record of 100 international centuries remains intriguing. With 82 already to his name and still showing strong form, the target is challenging but within reach if he maintains his fitness and motivation for several more years.
Regardless of final numbers, Kohli’s century-making legacy is already secure. His hundreds have entertained cricket fans worldwide, inspired a generation of young batsmen, and set new standards for batting excellence across formats. Each Kohli century tells a story of preparation, skill, determination, and the relentless pursuit of greatness – qualities that have defined his remarkable career.
For students of batting, each of his centuries offers a masterclass in how to construct an innings, adapt to different situations, and combine technical proficiency with mental strength. As cricket evolves, Kohli’s century collection will stand as a testament to a batsman who mastered the art of hundred-making across cricket’s most transformative era.
