Virat Kohli’s final ODI window to break Sachin Tendulkar’s century record
It was the semi-final of the 2023 World Cup when Virat Kohli scored his 50th ODI century in front of Sachin Tendulkar, surpassing his idol’s record of 49 hundreds in the format. Tendulkar’s 100 international centuries remain the benchmark, leaving Kohli with a chance to become the first batter to reach 101. But the equation changed when Kohli retired from Test cricket on May 12, 2025. Now, with the 2027 World Cup less than a year away, Kohli has 86 international centuries – 14 short of equalling Tendulkar and 15 away from surpassing him.
That innings put another Tendulkar record within Kohli’s reach. With his T20I career already over, ODI cricket became his only remaining route to Tendulkar’s record.
The 2027 tournament is scheduled to be played in Bangladesh from June 18 to July 4 and is expected to return to the ODI format. A detailed fixture list has not been announced, but based on the 2023 format, India could play up to six matches if they reach the final. The World Cup itself will have five group-stage matches and if the team reaches the Super 7, they will play six more matches, with a semi-final and final to follow if they go all the way. In 37 World Cup matches, he has scored 1,795 runs at an average of 59.83, with five centuries and 12 half-centuries. The 2023 edition was his most productive World Cup. He scored 765 runs, including three centuries and six half-centuries, and finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer. It was also the tournament in which he scored his 50th ODI century, moving past Tendulkar’s record of 49.
A finalist could therefore play a maximum of 13 matches at the tournament. The Asia Cup is another part of the picture. Kohli’s World Cup record gives him a strong base to build on.
