by When cricket fans talk about the greatest batsmen of the modern era, Virat Kohli is always at the center of the conversation. His ability to score centuries consistently across all formats has made him a true batting legend. From his first international century in 2009 to his latest masterclass against Pakistan in the 2025 Champions Trophy, Kohli’s journey of century-making has been nothing short of extraordinary.
What makes Kohli’s century collection so impressive isn’t just the sheer number but the quality and impact of these innings. Many of his hundreds have come in difficult conditions, against world-class bowling attacks, and in pressure situations where the team needed him most. His centuries have been scored in different countries, on various types of pitches, and in all three formats of international cricket – showcasing his incredible adaptability and technical excellence.
The story of Kohli’s centuries is also the story of his growth as a batsman. His early hundreds showed his natural talent and aggression, while his later centuries demonstrated his maturity and game awareness. Throughout his career, one thing has remained constant – his hunger for runs and his ability to convert starts into big scores. This hunger was evident once again in the 2025 Champions Trophy final, where his unbeaten 100 off 111 balls guided India to victory against arch-rivals Pakistan, adding his 51st ODI century to his remarkable tally.
Virat Kohli Total Centuries in All Format
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore every aspect of Kohli’s century-making prowess – breaking down his achievements by format, analyzing his century-scoring patterns over the years, looking at his memorable IPL hundreds, and understanding what makes him such a prolific century-maker. Whether you’re a devoted Kohli fan or simply a cricket enthusiast, this journey through the century milestones of one of cricket’s greatest batsmen will give you a deeper appreciation of his extraordinary career.
Virat Kohli Centuries In Every Format
Kohli’s batting excellence spans across all formats of the game. From the patient approach needed in Test cricket to the explosive hitting required in T20s, he has mastered the art of scoring hundreds in each format.
Here’s a detailed 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 |
What Makes Kohli’s Test Centuries Special
With 30 Test centuries to his name, Kohli ranks among the elite Test batsmen in cricket history. His Test hundreds are characterized by:
- Technical perfection – His solid defense, precise footwork, and ability to play both pace and spin make him a complete Test batsman
- Mental endurance – Many of his Test hundreds involve hours of concentration and patience
- Versatility across conditions – He has scored centuries in challenging overseas conditions including England, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand
- Converting 50s to 100s – His conversion rate from fifties to hundreds in Tests is among the best in the game
His epic 254* against South Africa in Pune (2019) remains his highest Test score – an innings where he batted for over seven hours, showing his incredible stamina and focus.
The ODI Century Machine
Kohli has redefined century-making in One Day Internationals with 51 hundreds in this format. His ODI centuries stand out for:
- Chase mastery – Over 26 of his ODI hundreds have come while chasing targets, with India winning most of those games
- Scoring rate – He scores his ODI centuries at a brisk pace without compromising on classic batting technique
- Consistency – He has scored ODI hundreds against all major cricket nations
- Big match performance – Many of his ODI centuries have come in important tournaments and knockout games
His 183 against Pakistan in the 2012 Asia Cup remains his highest ODI score – a breathtaking innings where he took apart a strong Pakistani bowling attack while chasing a difficult target.
Breaking Barriers in T20 Cricket
While T20 cricket doesn’t naturally lend itself to century-making due to the limited overs, Kohli has managed to score 1 century in this format at the international level. His 122* against Afghanistan in 2022 came after his long century drought and showed his ability to accelerate dramatically when needed.
IPL Century Collection
In the highly competitive Indian Premier League, Kohli has accumulated 8 centuries for Royal Challengers Bangalore. His IPL hundreds showcase his ability to dominate T20 bowling while maintaining his classical batting style.
Virat Kohli Centuries By Years
Analyzing Kohli’s century-scoring pattern year by year reveals fascinating insights into his career trajectory – his rise to prominence, peak years, challenging periods, and comeback phases.
| Year | Matches | Centuries | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 10 | 1 | First international century (107 vs Sri Lanka) |
| 2010 | 27 | 3 | Establishing himself in the team |
| 2011 | 43 | 4 | World Cup winner; growing confidence |
| 2012 | 40 | 8 | Breakthrough year; first Test century in Australia |
| 2013 | 43 | 6 | Became India’s batting mainstay |
| 2014 | 38 | 8 | Strong performance despite England’s struggles |
| 2015 | 31 | 4 | Took over Test captaincy; World Cup performance |
| 2016 | 37 | 7 | Record-breaking IPL season (973 runs) |
| 2017 | 46 | 11 | Peak form; dominated all formats |
| 2018 | 37 | 11 | Conquered England conditions; stellar year |
| 2019 | 44 | 7 | World Cup campaign; double century vs South Africa |
| 2020 | 22 | 0 | Start of century drought during pandemic |
| 2021 | 24 | 0 | Continued struggle for big scores |
| 2022 | 37 | 2 | End of century drought; T20I century |
| 2023 | 33 | 8 | Strong comeback year; ODI World Cup performance |
| 2024 | 13 | 1 | IPL century vs Rajasthan Royals |
| 2025 | 5 | 1 | Champions Trophy final century vs Pakistan |
The Early Years (2009-2011)
Kohli’s journey of international centuries began with his first ODI hundred against Sri Lanka in 2009. During these formative years, he scored 8 centuries as he worked on establishing himself in the Indian team. These early hundreds showed glimpses of the batting greatness that was to follow.
Breakthrough and Growth (2012-2016)
From 2012 to 2016, Kohli scored 33 centuries across formats as he transformed from a promising talent to a world-class batsman. The year 2012 was particularly important with 8 centuries, including his first Test hundred in Australia (116 at Adelaide). During this period, he improved his technique against different bowling attacks and developed the mental strength to build big innings.
Peak Dominance (2017-2019)
The years 2017-2019 marked Kohli’s absolute peak as a batsman, with an incredible 29 centuries across formats in just three years. The standout years were 2017 and 2018 when he scored 11 centuries in each year – a feat unmatched by any other batsman in this timeframe.
During this golden period, Kohli:
- Averaged over 70 in Test cricket
- Dominated bowling attacks around the world
- Led India as captain while maintaining his batting excellence
- Conquered his previous weakness in England with a brilliant tour in 2018
- Scored his highest Test score (254* vs South Africa)
The Challenging Phase (2020-2021)
Even the greatest players face difficult periods, and for Kohli, the years 2020 and 2021 presented unprecedented challenges. For the first time since becoming an established international player, he went through two full calendar years without scoring a single century in any format.
Several factors contributed to this unusual drought:
- COVID-19 disruptions affecting cricket schedules and mental preparation
- The pressure of captaincy across all formats
- Technical adjustments that temporarily affected his fluency
- Greater scrutiny from opposition teams who studied his game extensively
The Resurgence (2022-2025)
Kohli’s return to century-scoring form began in September 2022 with his T20I century against Afghanistan. Since then, he has added 12 more centuries to his tally across formats, showing that his appetite for big scores remains as strong as ever.
His resurgence has been marked by:
- Renewed focus after stepping down from captaincy duties
- Technical refinements to his game
- Better shot selection, especially early in his innings
- Mental freshness and visible enjoyment of cricket again
Centuries By Virat Kohli In IPL
The Indian Premier League has seen some spectacular centuries from Kohli. His 8 IPL hundreds have often been innings of both elegance and power.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of each of his IPL centuries:
| Runs | Balls | Against | 6s | 4s | Strike Rate | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100* | 63 | Gujarat Lions | 1 | 11 | 158.73 | Saurashtra CA Stadium | 24-04-2016 |
| 108* | 58 | Rising Pune Supergiant | 8 | 8 | 186.21 | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | 07-05-2016 |
| 109 | 55 | Gujarat Lions | 8 | 5 | 198.18 | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | 14-05-2016 |
| 113 | 50 | Kings XI Punjab | 8 | 12 | 226.00 | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | 18-05-2016 |
| 100 | 58 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 4 | 9 | 172.41 | Eden Gardens | 19-04-2019 |
| 100 | 63 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 4 | 12 | 158.73 | Rajiv Gandhi Stadium | 18-05-2023 |
| 101* | 61 | Gujarat Titans | 1 | 13 | 165.57 | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | 21-05-2023 |
| 113* | 72 | Rajasthan Royals | 4 | 12 | 156.94 | Sawai Mansingh Stadium | 06-04-2024 |
The Remarkable 2016 IPL Season
The 2016 IPL season stands as the crowning glory of Kohli’s T20 career. During this season, he scored an unprecedented four centuries, a record that remains unbroken in IPL history. His season aggregate of 973 runs at an average of 81.08 is still the highest run tally in a single IPL season.
What made these centuries special:
- His 113 against Kings XI Punjab came off just 50 balls at a strike rate of 226.00
- Three of his four centuries that season were scored at his home ground, M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
- Each century showcased different aspects of his batting – from calculated aggression to explosive hitting
- He maintained a balance between traditional cricket shots and T20 innovations
Recent IPL Centuries
After a gap of nearly four 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 – a brilliant 113* that demonstrated his enduring class in the format.
These recent IPL centuries show his evolved T20 batting approach:
- Smart acceleration – Starting cautiously and then shifting gears
- Risk management – Choosing the right bowlers to attack
- Shot selection – Relying more on conventional shots played with power
- Experience – Using his vast knowledge to pace his innings perfectly
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.
- Is Kohli close to breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 100 international centuries?
With 82 international centuries, Kohli is currently 18 hundred away from equaling Tendulkar’s record of 100 international centuries. At his current rate and fitness level, he has a realistic chance of breaking this record if he continues playing for a few more years.
- Which is Kohli’s most memorable century according to cricket experts?
While opinions vary, many cricket experts consider his 141 against Australia at Adelaide in 2014 as his most memorable Test century for its quality and aggressive intent despite ending in a losing cause. In ODIs, his 183 against Pakistan in 2012 and his 160* against South Africa in 2018 are highly rated.
- How does Kohli’s century conversion rate compare to other great batsmen?
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.
- Against which team has Kohli scored the most centuries?
Kohli has scored the most international centuries against Australia and Sri Lanka. His aggressive mindset seems to match well against the Australian bowling attack, while he has consistently performed well against Sri Lankan bowlers throughout his career.
- What is unique about Kohli’s approach to scoring centuries?
One of the most unique aspects of Kohli’s century-making is his ability to pace an innings perfectly, especially in run chases. He typically starts cautiously, builds momentum through the middle overs, and then accelerates toward the end. His running between wickets also stands out – he often scores a high percentage of his runs through quick singles and twos, putting pressure on fielders.
- Did Kohli’s captaincy affect his century-scoring ability?
The data shows a mixed picture. During his peak years (2017-2019), Kohli scored abundantly as captain. However, the century drought of 2020-2021 coincided with his captaincy responsibilities at their highest. His return to form has come after reducing his captaincy duties, suggesting the mental demands of leadership may have temporarily affected his batting.
- How many of Kohli’s centuries have come in winning causes?
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.
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Conclusion: Virat Kohli Has 82 International Centuries Across All Formats
Virat Kohli’s collection of 82 international centuries (30 in Tests, 51 in ODIs, and 1 in T20I) along with 8 IPL hundreds represents one of cricket’s most remarkable batting achievements. What makes this feat even more extraordinary is that it has been accomplished in an era where players must constantly adapt between three very different formats – each demanding unique skills, techniques, and mindsets.
Kohli’s century-making journey tells the story of a batsman who has consistently evolved his game to meet new challenges. From his early days as a talented but sometimes impetuous young batsman to his current status as a batting master who combines classical technique with modern innovation, his development is reflected in the changing nature of his hundreds over time.
The true value of Kohli’s centuries extends far beyond statistical milestones. Many of his hundreds have:
- Helped India win crucial matches from difficult positions
- Come against high-quality bowling attacks in challenging conditions
- Demonstrated his ability to adapt his batting to different situations
- Inspired a generation of young cricketers with their technical excellence
- Showcased his mental strength and ability to perform under pressure
His successful return from a prolonged century drought in 2020-2021 perhaps tells us more about his character than his achievements during peak form. Where many great players have struggled to regain their best after such a lean period, Kohli’s determination and work ethic allowed him to make the necessary adjustments to his game and return to his century-scoring ways.
As Kohli continues his cricket journey, the prospect of him surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 100 international centuries remains a tantalizing possibility. With 82 hundreds already and still showing strong form, the target is certainly within reach if he maintains his fitness and motivation for several more years.
Regardless of whether he breaks this ultimate record, Kohli’s century-making legacy is already secure. His combination of technical brilliance, fierce determination, exemplary fitness, and adaptability across formats has set new standards for batting excellence in the modern game. Each Kohli century represents not just a personal milestone but a masterclass in batting – showcasing the perfect blend of traditional cricket values and contemporary innovation.
For cricket fans across generations, Virat Kohli’s centuries serve as a reminder of why we love this beautiful game – the human drama of overcoming challenges, the artistic expression of batting at its finest, and the sheer joy of witnessing sporting greatness in action. His century collection stands as a testament to what can be achieved through talent, dedication, and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence.
