Virat Kohli can score 100 centuries in international cricket, says Sunil Gavaskar

Former Indian Cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has endorsed Virat Kohli’s ambition to join Sachin Tendulkar in reaching 100 international centuries, suggesting that the batter can continue his career beyond the 2027 ODI World Cup. Gavaskar’s remarks came after Kohli was named Player of the Series for his significant role in India’s 2–1 win over South Africa in the ODI series in Visakhapatnam.

In a conversation with the host broadcaster after India’s nine-wicket win in the third ODI, Gavaskar lauded Kohli’s rejuvenated form. He noted how the 37-year-old has successfully transformed his one-day game by adopting key elements from T20 batting.

Kohli’s unbeaten 65 guided India to chase down 271 in just 39.5 overs in the series-deciding ODI. The chase was sealed with nine wickets in hand, with Yashasvi Jaiswal’s first-ever ODI hundred and a swift 75 from Rohit Sharma playing pivotal roles.

“Why not? Even if he plays for another three years, he’ll need 16 more centuries to reach the milestone,” Gavaskar mentioned.

Virat Kohli wrapped up the three-match ODI series against South Africa with 302 runs, featuring two centuries and a fifty. His tally of international hundreds now stands at 84, 16 short of Sachin Tendulkar’s record.

For the first time in his distinguished ODI career, Kohli accumulated over 300 runs in a three-match bilateral series.

“Given his current form, having scored two centuries in a three-match series, if he manages two more against New Zealand in the next series, he’ll reach 87. So, his chances of reaching 100 centuries are very high, and looking at the way he’s batting, he seems to be thoroughly enjoying himself,” Gavaskar remarked.

After stepping away from Test cricket earlier this year, Kohli, now exclusively playing ODIs, and has expressed that he is thoroughly enjoying his game and batting with more freedom.