NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli’s sublime century once again underlined his enduring greatness, even though it came in a losing cause as New Zealand clinched the ODI series 2-1 with a 41-run win in the decider on Sunday. Kohli’s 108-ball 124 — his record-extending 54th ODI hundred — was the centrepiece of India’s chase, but it was not enough after the hosts were set a daunting target of 338 and eventually bowled out for 296 in 46 overs.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!India had slipped to 71 for four, and despite fighting half-centuries from Nitish Kumar Reddy (53) and Harshit Rana (52), the deficit proved too steep. Earlier, centuries from Daryl Mitchell (137) and Glenn Phillips (106) powered New Zealand to 337 for eight, with Zak Foulkes and Kristian Clarke sharing six wickets in India’s reply.
While the series ended in disappointment for India, it proved historic for Kohli, who continues to rewrite the record books with remarkable consistency. His hundred in Indore was his seventh ODI century against New Zealand, the most by any batter against the Kiwis in the format, surpassing legends like Ricky Ponting and Virender Sehwag – six each. Overall, it was Kohli’s 10th international century against New Zealand, again the most by any batter across formats.Most hundreds vs New Zealand (across formats)
- 10 – Virat Kohli (73 inns)
- 9 – Jacques Kallis (76 inns)
- 9 – Joe Root (71 inns)
- 9 – Sachin Tendulkar (80 inns)
The knock also took Kohli to 59 List-A hundreds, placing him just one shy of Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time record of 60 — a milestone firmly within reach. At home, Kohli registered his 41st international hundred on Indian soil, moving closer to Tendulkar’s record of 42.Another landmark saw Kohli go past Ricky Ponting to become the highest run-scorer at No.3 in ODI cricket, amassing 12,676 runs from that position. His century in Indore also meant Kohli has now scored hundreds at 35 different ODI venues, the most by any batter, overtaking Tendulkar.
Hundreds at most venues (ODIs)
- 35 – Virat Kohli
- 34 – Sachin Tendulkar
- 26 – Rohit Sharma
- 21 – Ricky Ponting
- 21 – Hashim Amla
- 21 – AB de Villiers
Kohli also joined a slightly unwanted list, registering his ninth ODI hundred in a losing cause, equalling Brendon Taylor and trailing only Tendulkar (14) and Chris Gayle (11). His dominance against multiple opponents remains staggering, with seven or more hundreds now against five different teams.Kohli’s record in high-pressure scenarios further underlined his stature. In bilateral ODI series deciders, he has scored 784 runs at an average of 52.26, while in 300-plus chases, his tally stands at 2,131 runs with 10 centuries.Virat Kohli in the bilateral ODI series deciders
- Innings: 16
- Runs: 784
- Avg: 52.26
- SR: 98.0
- 100s/50s: 2/6
- HS: 124
Virat Kohli in 300-plus chases in ODIs
- Innings: 37
- Runs: 2131
- Avg: 62.67
- SR: 106.4
- 100s/50s: 10/9
