Virat Kohli is back in top form and the talk around his chase of Sachin Tendulkar’s 100 international centuries has started again. Sunil Gavaskar has now given a clear, confident answer on whether Kohli can go past the landmark. Gavaskar’s clear verdict on Kohli vs Sachin record

Sunil Gavaskar feels Virat Kohli has a very realistic chance of breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 100 international hundreds if he continues for a few more years. He pointed out that Kohli is on 84 international centuries and needs 17 more to go past Tendulkar’s tally, which is achievable if he maintains fitness and form. Gavaskar said that if Kohli plays for around three more years and keeps batting like this, there is no reason he cannot get those remaining hundreds.

The former India captain also highlighted how quickly Kohli can close the gap when he gets on a roll. In a three-match ODI series against South Africa, Kohli smashed two centuries, which shows he still has the ability to score big and score often. Gavaskar underlined that the most important thing is that Kohli is enjoying his batting again, which usually leads to big runs.

Kohli’s ODI domination against South Africa

Virat Kohli’s numbers in the recent ODI series against South Africa were outstanding and reminded fans of his peak years. Across the three matches, he scored 302 runs at an incredible average of 151.00 and a strike rate above 117, with two centuries and one unbeaten fifty. In the final ODI at Visakhapatnam, his 65* off 45 balls, with clean hitting and aggressive intent, looked very similar to his 2016–2019 phase when he was almost unstoppable.

Kohli’s overall ODI record against South Africa is also outstanding and shows why he enjoys playing against them. In 34 ODIs and 32 innings against the Proteas, he has scored 1,806 runs at an average above 70, including seven centuries and nine fifties, with a best of 160*. These numbers show that even after so many years in international cricket, he remains one of the best chasers and run-machines in the format. Current form and the road to 100 centuries

In 2025, Kohli has enjoyed another strong year in one-day cricket. He has scored 651 runs in 13 ODI innings at an average above 65, with three centuries and four fifties, and a top score of 135. These stats underline that he is still among the top batters in the world and is not in any decline when it comes to consistency in ODIs.

The key question now is whether he can stretch this form long enough across formats to go past Tendulkar’s 100 centuries. For that, Kohli will need to keep playing a good mix of Tests and ODIs, as T20Is usually offer fewer chances to score hundreds. If India’s future schedule gives him enough matches and his body holds up, averaging five to six international centuries per year over the next three years is not unrealistic for a player of his quality. Mindset and batting template look familiar

What has encouraged experts like Gavaskar is not just the numbers but how Kohli is getting those runs. In the South Africa ODIs, his intent, body language, and stroke play took fans back to his earlier golden phase. He batted with freedom, picked gaps easily, rotated the strike, and then shifted gears with controlled aggression when set.

Gavaskar also mentioned that in the Visakhapatnam ODI, Kohli never looked like he would lose control of the chase at any point. That calm, assured style has always been his trademark in successful run-chases. If this mindset and rhythm stay with him, the centuries will naturally follow, and the talk of chasing 100 hundreds will only grow louder.