Kohli’s Quest to Match Tendulkar’s 100 Centuries

Current International Century Count

As of July 16 2026, Virat Kohli holds 85 international centuries, trailing Sachin Tendulkar’s historic 100‑century mark by 15 tons. Kohli’s career average sits at 52.64, edging past Tendulkar’s 48.52, but he still lags in total runs and innings faced. The Indian star has logged 560 matches across formats, while Tendulkar amassed 664 appearances over a much longer tenure.

Kohli’s forward drive includes 123 Tests, 312 ODIs and 125 T20Is, compared with Tendulkar’s 200 Tests, 463 ODIs and a solitary T20I. The gap in centuries reflects not just a quantitative difference but also the varying lengths of their careers and the era in which they played.

Retirement Cuts the Timeline

Kohli’s pursuit received a significant blow when he announced his retirement from Tests on May 12 2025 and had already stepped away from T20Is after India’s 2024 T20 World Cup victory. This leaves him with only the ODI arena to chase the remaining 16 centuries needed to equal Tendulkar’s record.

With just one format remaining, Kohli must now average a century every 1.7 ODI innings to close the gap, a tall order at age 37. The decision reshapes the narrative from a multi‑format legend to a single‑format hope.

Path to the 2027 ODI World Cup

India’s Future Tours Programme shows 15 ODI matches scheduled before the 2027 World Cup in South Africa. Kohli is expected to stay on until the tournament’s end, which could add up to 12 more matches if India reaches the final. That translates to roughly 15 centuries needed in about 27 ODI fixtures.

The 2027 World Cup is widely viewed as Kohli’s final international tournament, intensifying the pressure to deliver at least one hundred per series. While age is a factor, a disciplined approach and favorable opposition schedules could still make the milestone within reach.

Upcoming ODI Schedule Until 2027

• Oct‑Nov 2025: India v Australia – 3 ODIs (India lost 2‑1)
• Nov‑Dec 2025: India v South Africa – 3 ODIs (India won 2‑1)
• Jan 2026: India v New Zealand – 3 ODIs (Tied 1‑1)
• Jun 2026: India v Afghanistan – 3 ODIs (India won 3‑0)
• Jul 2026: India v England – 3 ODIs
• Sep‑Oct 2026: India v West Indies – 3 ODIs
• Dec 2026: India v Sri Lanka – 3 ODIs
• Jan 2027: India v Zimbabwe – 3 ODIs

These fixtures provide Kohli with ample opportunity to accumulate the required centuries, though form and fitness will be decisive. The schedule also includes series against top-rated teams, offering both challenge and exposure.

The race between Kohli and Tendulkar’s century records continues to capture cricket’s imagination, hinging on the ‘King’s’ ability to adapt, score, and endure in the dwindling ODI phase of his career.