Virat Kohli 100 International Centuries: How Many More Centuries Does He Need to Break Sachin Tendulkar’s Record?

Virat Kohli has once again brought the record books into focus. The Indian batting star smashed his 55th ODI century against West Indies on September 27, 2026, helping India chase down 296 with an unbeaten 139. The innings also took Kohli past the landmark of 15,000 ODI runs.

Kohli’s latest hundred has naturally revived the discussion surrounding one of the biggest records in international cricket: Sachin Tendulkar’s tally of 100 international centuries.

How many centuries does Virat Kohli need?

According to the figures following his latest ODI century, Kohli has 86 international centuries.

That means he needs:

• 14 more centuries to reach 100


• 15 more centuries to move beyond 100

The challenge is particularly interesting because Kohli currently plays international cricket only in the ODI format. Every additional century he scores from this point would therefore have to come in ODIs.

His latest hundred was his 55th ODI century, while his overall international tally reached 86.

How many ODI opportunities are available?

The currently announced schedule gives Kohli a significant number of potential ODI opportunities before the 2027 World Cup.

India’s home season includes the ongoing three-match ODI series against West Indies. The remaining matches are scheduled for September 30 and October 3. India will then host Sri Lanka for three ODIs in December 2026 and Zimbabwe for another three-match ODI series in January 2027.

That already accounts for nine scheduled ODIs in this period, although playing every match is never guaranteed because of selection, workload management, fitness and team requirements.

India are also scheduled to participate in the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe. The tournament is scheduled for October-November 2027.

Therefore, the exact number of matches Kohli will have available before and during the World Cup cannot yet be treated as a fixed figure. Tournament progression, India’s bilateral schedule, selection decisions and Kohli’s participation will all determine his actual opportunities.

What would the century rate need to look like?

The mathematics shows just how extraordinary the challenge would be.

If Kohli had 30 ODI innings available and needed 15 centuries, he would have to average one century every two innings.

With 38 innings, the requirement would still be approximately one century every 2.5 innings.

Even reaching 100 would require 14 centuries, meaning a century roughly every two to three innings depending on how many opportunities he ultimately gets.

That would be an exceptional scoring rate even by Kohli’s standards.

Kohli’s current form adds to the excitement

Kohli’s latest performance has strengthened the discussion because it came in spectacular fashion. Against West Indies, he scored 139 not out from 88 deliveries, while Shubman Gill also made a century as India won the first ODI by eight wickets. Kohli’s innings included 10 fours and nine sixes.

The 55th ODI century also came on a milestone-filled day for the former India captain, who became only the second men’s cricketer to reach 15,000 ODI runs after Tendulkar.

Can Kohli reach 100 international centuries?

The numbers show that the target is mathematically possible, but the path is extremely demanding. Kohli requires 14 more centuries to reach Tendulkar’s 100, or 15 to surpass it.

However, it would be misleading to assume that he will necessarily have only 30-odd ODI matches available. India’s confirmed schedule already provides multiple bilateral ODI opportunities, while the 2027 World Cup could provide additional matches depending on India’s progress.

For now, the record remains Tendulkar’s 100 international centuries, while Kohli stands at 86. His latest century has simply made the possibility of another historic chapter in his career a major talking point in world cricket.

Whether Kohli can close the remaining 14-century gap will depend on his future selection, longevity, number of ODI innings and, above all, his ability to keep converting starts into centuries.