Can Kohli break Sachin's record of 100 centuries?

The discussion surrounding the possibility of breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record of 100 international centuries is so intense precisely because the player in question is Virat Kohli. Had it been anyone else, the prospect of reaching the 100-century mark might not have garnered such attention. However, Kohli currently has 86 international centuries to his name—placing him just 14 centuries away from Sachin's record.

The 37-year-old Kohli now plays only ODIs. Having retired from Tests and T20Is, his international career is confined to 50-over cricket. He has also clearly expressed his interest in playing in the 2027 World Cup.

The question naturally arises: is it possible for him to score another 15 centuries in the time remaining and surpass Sachin's record of 100 international centuries?

15 More Centuries Needed

To equal Sachin's record of 100 international centuries, Kohli needs 14 more; to break it, he needs 15.

Currently, ODIs are the primary stage for Kohli in international cricket. Therefore, the calculation must be based on his ODI career and the matches lying ahead.

On September 28, 2026, Kohli completed his 55th ODI century by scoring 135 runs against the West Indies. This brought his total international century count to 86.

A Glimmer of Hope in ODIs

Kohli’s 55 ODI centuries have come from over 300 innings. This means his rate of scoring centuries in ODIs is higher than his overall century-scoring rate across all formats of international cricket.

However, the sheer number of innings required to score 15 more centuries poses a significant challenge. Even if he maintains a rate close to his career average for ODIs, the required figure remains substantial.

On the other hand, the frequency of centuries from Kohli's bat has increased recently; he scored a magnificent century in the first match of the 2026 West Indies series. Yet, projecting his future century-scoring rate based on just a few innings is risky.

**How ​​Many Matches Are Actually Left?** This is where the calculation becomes even more intriguing.

According to the current confirmed schedule, following the ongoing three-match ODI series against the West Indies, India is set to play five ODIs against New Zealand, three against Sri Lanka, and three against Zimbabwe. This means there are already 14 confirmed ODIs scheduled before the 2027 World Cup.

Additional bilateral series or ODI tournaments could also be added in the future. Consequently, the notion of having "only 13 matches before the World Cup" no longer aligns with the current schedule.

Then comes the 2027 World Cup. The format for this tournament differs from previous ones; featuring 14 teams under a new structure, it requires navigating multiple stages to reach the semi-finals and final. If a team like India advances directly from the initial stage and makes it to the final, there will be opportunities to play a significant number of matches.

So, is the 100-century mark realistic?

Rather than giving a simple "yes" or "no," the numbers themselves tell the story.

If Kohli has approximately 14 confirmed bilateral ODIs ahead of him leading up to the 2027 World Cup—plus potential additional matches depending on India's progress in the tournament—the total number of opportunities could approach or exceed 30. However, this depends on future scheduling, the selectors' plans, Kohli's participation, and India's performance in the World Cup.

On the other hand, breaking the record requires 15 centuries. This means he would need to score centuries at a rate far higher than his career average within the limited matches available.

The numbers clearly indicate that the path for Kohli to break Sachin’s record of 100 international centuries is arduous. Yet, there is recent proof that he is still capable of playing massive ODI innings at the age of 37—such as his 135-run knock against the West Indies.

Ultimately, the equation stands thus: moving from 86 to 101—an additional 15 centuries. Time is limited, and opportunities are scarce. But within those limited opportunities, Kohli...