Virat Kohli vs Sachin Tendulkar: Centuries Comparison and Race to 100 in 2026

• Centuries
• Career stats
• Tests
• ODIs
• 50th ODI hundred
• Sachin’s 100th
• Race to 100
• World Cups
• Highest scores
• Top scorers
• Records
• Tracker
• FAQ

Virat Kohli has scored 86 international centuries as of 1 November 2026, while Sachin Tendulkar holds the world record with 100. Kohli has 30 Test hundreds, 55 ODI hundreds and one T20I century. Tendulkar finished with 51 Test and 49 ODI centuries. Kohli needs 14 more hundreds to equal Tendulkar’s record and 15 to become the first batter to score 101 international centuries.

For years, one question has fascinated Indian cricket fans: Can Virat Kohli break Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 100 international centuries?

Sachin Tendulkar, popularly known as the God of Cricket, achieved a milestone that once seemed almost impossible. During his 24-year international career, Tendulkar scored 100 centuries across Test and ODI cricket. He became the first player in cricket history to reach the landmark.

Years later, Virat Kohli emerged as one of the greatest batters of his generation. Known as the Chase Master and King Kohli, he built a reputation for consistency, aggressive running between the wickets and match-winning performances.

In November 2023, Kohli surpassed Tendulkar’s record of 49 ODI centuries by scoring his 50th ODI hundred against New Zealand in the Cricket World Cup semifinal. That achievement started a new discussion: could Kohli also break Sachin’s overall record of 100 international hundreds?

By November 2026, Kohli had reached 86 centuries, leaving him 14 short of the historic milestone. However, there is an important challenge. Kohli has retired from T20 Internationals and Test cricket. He now plays only ODIs for India. This means every additional international century must come in the 50-over format.

In this CricketGatha article, we’ll compare Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar’s centuries, batting records, Test and ODI performances, World Cup achievements and the remaining journey towards 100 international hundreds.

Virat Kohli vs Sachin Tendulkar: Who Has More International Centuries?

Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most international centuries in men’s cricket with 100. Virat Kohli is second with 86. However, Kohli has already scored more ODI centuries than Tendulkar.

Virat Kohli vs Sachin Tendulkar Centuries in All Formats

Sachin leads the overall comparison because of his extraordinary Test record. Kohli leads the ODI centuries comparison. The difference between the two players is now 14 centuries.

Virat Kohli vs Sachin Tendulkar: Complete International Career Stats

Both players have scored thousands of runs across formats. Tendulkar played 664 international matches and scored 34,357 runs. Kohli has scored 28,527 international runs in 565 matches through October 2026.

Overall International Career Comparison

The statistics show that Tendulkar played substantially more international matches. Kohli, meanwhile, has maintained an outstanding scoring rate in ODI cricket. Both have made major contributions to Indian cricket in different eras.

Virat Kohli vs Sachin Tendulkar Test Centuries Comparison

Test cricket provides one of the clearest differences between the two legends. Sachin Tendulkar scored 51 Test centuries. Virat Kohli finished with 30 Test centuries before retiring from the format in May 2025.

Sachin vs Virat Test Career Stats

Why Does Sachin Have More Test Centuries?

Tendulkar played 200 Test matches across a 24-year international career. He scored centuries in different countries and against several generations of international bowlers. His 51 Test centuries remain the highest number by any batter.

Kohli played 123 Tests and scored 30 hundreds. He also registered seven Test double centuries, more than Tendulkar’s six. However, Kohli retired from Test cricket on 12 May 2025. Therefore, his Test century count will remain at 30.

Virat Kohli vs Sachin Tendulkar ODI Centuries Comparison

ODI cricket is where Kohli has surpassed Tendulkar in the centuries record. Sachin Tendulkar finished his ODI career with 49 hundreds. Kohli scored his 50th ODI century in November 2023 and has since increased the total to 55.

Virat Kohli vs Sachin Tendulkar ODI Stats

Who Has More ODI Centuries: Kohli or Sachin?

Virat Kohli has more ODI centuries. He has scored 55 hundreds, compared with Sachin Tendulkar’s 49. Kohli leads by six ODI centuries. He also has a higher ODI batting average.

However, Tendulkar still holds the record for more career ODI runs between the two. Sachin scored 18,426 ODI runs, compared with Kohli’s 15,109 as of October 2026.

When Did Virat Kohli Break Sachin Tendulkar’s ODI Century Record?

Virat Kohli created history on 15 November 2023. India faced New Zealand in the ODI World Cup semifinal at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Kohli scored 117 runs from 113 balls. It was his 50th ODI century. With that innings, he surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 ODI hundreds.

Virat Kohli’s Historic 50th ODI Century

The moment became even more special because Tendulkar was present at the stadium. Kohli acknowledged the legendary batter after reaching the milestone.

India scored 397/4 and defeated New Zealand by 70 runs. The innings was one of the defining moments of the 2023 Cricket World Cup.

Sachin Tendulkar’s 100th International Century: A Historic Achievement

Sachin Tendulkar scored his 100th international century on 16 March 2012. The milestone came against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup at Mirpur. Tendulkar scored 114 runs from 147 balls. Although India lost the match, his innings created cricket history.

Sachin Tendulkar’s 100th Century Details

Tendulkar became the first cricketer to score 100 international hundreds. The achievement came more than 22 years after his first international century. It remains one of the most celebrated batting records in cricket history.

First International Centuries: Sachin and Virat

Sachin Tendulkar’s First International Century

Sachin scored his first international century against England at Old Trafford, Manchester, in August 1990. He was only 17 years old. Tendulkar scored an unbeaten 119 in the fourth innings to help India draw the Test.

The innings showed Tendulkar’s ability to perform under pressure at a very young age. It was the first of his 100 international centuries.

Virat Kohli’s First International Century

Virat Kohli scored his first international century against Sri Lanka in Kolkata on 24 December 2009. He made 107 runs from 114 balls. India successfully chased a target of 316. Gautam Gambhir also scored an unbeaten 150.

This innings was an important early milestone in Kohli’s ODI career. He later became one of the most successful run-chasers in international cricket.

Virat Kohli’s Latest International Century in 2026

Kohli’s most recent international century, as of 1 November 2026, came against West Indies on 27 September 2026. He scored an unbeaten 139. It was his 55th ODI century and 86th international century.

Kohli’s 86th International Century

This innings moved Kohli to within 14 centuries of Tendulkar’s overall record. His next scheduled ODI series is against New Zealand in November 2026.

Virat Kohli’s Race to 100 International Centuries

The race to 100 is one of the biggest statistical storylines in modern cricket. Sachin Tendulkar finished with exactly 100 international centuries. Kohli currently has 86.

How Many Centuries Does Kohli Need to Reach 100?

Kohli needs 14 more centuries to equal Tendulkar. He needs 15 more to move ahead.

Virat Kohli 100 Centuries Milestone Tracker

The challenge is significant because Kohli now plays only ODI cricket. He no longer has opportunities to score international hundreds in Tests or T20Is.

Can Virat Kohli Score 100 International Centuries?

Mathematically, yes. However, reaching 100 will require Kohli to score another 14 ODI centuries before his international retirement. There are several factors that could influence his chances.

Why Did Virat Kohli Retire From Test and T20I Cricket?

Kohli retired from T20 Internationals after India’s victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup. He announced his Test retirement on 12 May 2025. These decisions ended his opportunities to add centuries in those two formats.

His ODI century total remains active. This makes the race to 100 entirely dependent on ODI performances.

Virat Kohli vs Sachin Tendulkar T20I Centuries

T20 International cricket was not a major part of Tendulkar’s career. Sachin played only one T20I for India. He scored 10 runs and did not register a century. Kohli played 125 T20 Internationals. He scored 4,188 runs and one century.

Kohli’s only T20I century came against Afghanistan in the 2022 Asia Cup. He scored 122 not out from 61 balls. It was his first international century after a long period without a hundred.

Virat Kohli vs Sachin Tendulkar World Cup Centuries

Both batters have produced memorable performances in ODI World Cups. Tendulkar played six ODI World Cups between 1992 and 2011. Kohli has represented India in four ODI World Cups from 2011 to 2023.

ODI World Cup Centuries Comparison

Tendulkar scored six ODI World Cup centuries. Kohli has scored five. Both were members of India’s 2011 World Cup-winning squad.

Virat Kohli vs Sachin Tendulkar: Highest International Scores

Both players have produced memorable individual innings.

Highest Scores by Format

Kohli’s highest Test score is greater than Tendulkar’s. However, Tendulkar scored an ODI double century, while Kohli’s highest ODI score remains 183.

Sachin Tendulkar’s 200 Not Out vs South Africa

On 24 February 2010, Tendulkar scored an unbeaten 200 against South Africa in Gwalior. He became the first male batter to score a double century in ODI cricket. His innings included 25 fours and three sixes. India scored 401/3. The achievement became another important chapter in Tendulkar’s career.

Virat Kohli’s 183 vs Pakistan

Kohli’s highest ODI score came against Pakistan during the 2012 Asia Cup. He scored 183 runs from 148 balls. India successfully chased Pakistan’s total of 329/6. Kohli’s innings included 22 fours and one six.

The innings remains one of Kohli’s greatest ODI performances.

Virat Kohli vs Sachin Tendulkar: Batting Style Comparison

Both players were technically accomplished right-handed batters. However, their approaches reflected different strengths and playing conditions.

Main Differences

Both players have influenced generations of young cricketers.

Who Reached 50 ODI Centuries First?

Virat Kohli became the first batter to score 50 ODI centuries. He achieved the milestone against New Zealand in November 2023. Sachin Tendulkar finished his ODI career with 49 centuries. Kohli’s achievement established a new ODI batting record.

Who Scored International Centuries More Quickly?

A useful way to compare batters is to examine how many innings they needed to reach major century milestones. However, this comparison must account for differences in playing eras, match schedules and formats.

Tendulkar played international cricket for 24 years. Kohli has played in a period with more T20 cricket and different ODI scoring conditions. Their overall century totals are not directly interchangeable measures of batting quality.

Tendulkar reached 100 international centuries during his long career. Kohli surpassed Tendulkar’s ODI century record in fewer ODI innings. Kohli’s ODI century conversion rate has been especially impressive. Tendulkar’s achievement of 51 Test centuries remains unmatched.

These records highlight different areas of excellence rather than proving one batter is better in every situation.

Top International Century Scorers in Cricket History

Sachin Tendulkar remains the leading century scorer in men’s international cricket. Kohli is second.

Most International Centuries in Men’s Cricket

Figures as of October 2026. Active players’ totals may change.

Tendulkar’s record remains the benchmark. Kohli is the closest active challenger.

Virat Kohli’s 2026 ODI Century Record

Kohli began 2026 with 53 ODI centuries. He scored his 54th ODI century against New Zealand in January 2026. He later scored his 55th against West Indies in September 2026.

Kohli’s ODI Centuries in 2026

These two hundreds took Kohli’s international total to 86. His next opportunities will come in scheduled ODI matches, subject to selection and fitness.

Virat Kohli vs Sachin Tendulkar: Records Comparison

Major Batting Records

Tendulkar holds the overall international century record. Kohli holds the ODI centuries record. Both have set benchmarks that continue to influence modern cricket.

Why Sachin Tendulkar’s 100 Centuries Record Is So Difficult to Break

Scoring one international century requires skill, concentration and consistency. Scoring 100 is an extraordinary achievement. There are several reasons why Tendulkar’s record remains difficult to surpass.

This combination of longevity and consistency makes his record particularly difficult to challenge.

What Happens If Virat Kohli Scores 100 Centuries?

If Kohli scores another 14 international hundreds, he will equal Tendulkar’s record. If he scores 15 more, he will reach 101. That would make him the first male cricketer to surpass 100 international centuries.

However, reaching the milestone would not automatically settle every debate about the greatest batter. Tendulkar and Kohli played in different eras and contributed to cricket in different ways. Their records should be considered alongside match situations, longevity, formats and team achievements.

Virat Kohli’s Race to 100: Live Century Tracker

This section can be updated whenever Kohli scores another ODI century.

The figures should be refreshed after each new ODI century.

Frequently Asked Questions About Virat Kohli vs Sachin Tendulkar Centuries

For the latest cricket records, player comparisons and century statistics, follow CricketGatha. Also read Virat Kohli’s profile, Virat Kohli ODI centuries list: all 55 hundreds, Rohit Sharma’s profile and India vs New Zealand 2026 schedule and squads.

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