Virat Kohli is in the zone—again. Fresh off a blistering 93 against New Zealand and riding a streak of six consecutive fifty-plus scores across formats, the Indian batting maestro has now amassed 84 international centuries . That puts him just 16 tons shy of the Everest of cricket records: Sachin Tendulkar’s legendary 100 international centuries.
But here’s the twist that keeps fans awake at night: What if Kohli had converted even half of his infamous “nervous nineties” into hundreds? How much closer—or even ahead—would he be to Sachin’s mark right now?
This isn’t just idle speculation. Kohli has been dismissed in the 90s a staggering **13 times** in international cricket—more than any other player in history . Each of those near-misses isn’t just a personal frustration; it’s a statistical ghost that haunts the greatest “What If” in modern cricket.
Table of Contents
- The Current Streak and the Century Milestone
- Virat Kohli Centuries: The Numbers Behind the Legend
- The Curse of the Nervous Nineties
- Kohli vs Sachin: A Fair Comparison?
- What If All 90s Became 100s?
- Can Kohli Still Break the Record?
- Conclusion: Beyond the Numbers
- Sources
The Current Streak and the Century Milestone
Kohli’s recent form has been nothing short of vintage. Since returning from a brief break post the 2025 World Test Championship final, he’s looked unstoppable—scoring 117 vs Australia, 102* vs South Africa, and most recently, that heart-stopping 93 in Napier against New Zealand .
That knock in Napier was classic Kohli: aggressive yet controlled, full of cover drives and flicks off the pads. He looked set for another ton—until a momentary lapse against a clever slower ball ended his innings at 93. For many batsmen, it’s just another score. For Kohli, it’s another chapter in a recurring narrative.
Virat Kohli Centuries: The Numbers Behind the Legend
At 37 years old (as of 2026), Kohli’s century breakdown stands as follows:
- Test Centuries: 29
- ODI Centuries: 50
- T20I Centuries: 5
- Total International Centuries: 84
He holds the record for most ODI centuries (surpassing Sachin’s 49 in 2023) and is the only male cricketer with 50+ international tons across all three formats . His conversion rate from fifties to hundreds sits at an elite 42%—yet that number could be significantly higher.
The Curse of the Nervous Nineties
Kohli’s 13 dismissals in the 90s are spread across formats:
- 7 times in ODIs
- 5 times in Tests
- 1 time in T20Is
Notable heartbreaks include 91 vs England (2014), 94 vs Australia (2019), and 97 vs Pakistan (2023). Analysts often point to psychological pressure—the weight of expectation—as the trigger. “When you’re Virat Kohli, every 90 feels like a failure,” noted former selector Saba Karim in a recent podcast .
Ironically, Sachin Tendulkar was dismissed in the 90s only **10 times** in his entire 24-year career—despite playing far more matches . This contrast fuels the debate even further.
Kohli vs Sachin: A Fair Comparison?
Comparing eras is always tricky. Sachin played in an age with heavier bats, uncovered pitches, and no DRS. Kohli faces hyper-specialized bowling attacks, advanced analytics, and relentless media scrutiny.
Yet the century race transcends conditions. Both players carried the hopes of a billion fans. Both redefined batting excellence. As ESPNcricinfo’s stats editor points out, “Kohli reached 80 centuries in fewer innings than Sachin—but the final 20 are the hardest” .
What If All 90s Became 100s?
Let’s play the ultimate counterfactual game. If Kohli had converted just **8 of his 13 nineties** into centuries, his total would jump from 84 to **92**—just 8 short of Sachin.
If he’d converted **all 13**, he’d already be sitting on **97 centuries**, needing only three more to equal the record. Given his current form, that milestone could’ve been achieved by mid-2026.
Of course, cricket doesn’t work on “ifs.” But the sheer volume of near-misses makes this hypothetical painfully plausible.
Can Kohli Still Break the Record?
Realistically, yes—but the clock is ticking. Assuming he plays until the 2027 ODI World Cup, Kohli would need roughly 16 more tons over the next 18–24 months.
At his current strike rate (1 century every 7 innings in ODIs), it’s ambitious but not impossible. His fitness, focus, and hunger remain undimmed. As he told reporters after the Napier match: “Records take care of themselves when you’re enjoying your cricket” .
Conclusion: Beyond the Numbers
The chase for Sachin’s record is more than a statistical quest—it’s a cultural moment. Every time Kohli walks out to bat, a nation holds its breath, hoping this is the day he turns another 90 into history.
Whether he reaches 100 or not, Virat Kohli has already cemented his legacy as one of the greatest batters of all time. But that lingering “What If” will forever be part of his story—a testament to both his brilliance and the cruel beauty of cricket.
Sources
- Times of India: “Virat Kohli vs Sachin Tendulkar: The ‘nervous’ 90s and the great ‘What If’”
- ESPNcricinfo Statsguru: “Most dismissals in the 90s in international cricket”
- ICC Official Records: “Virat Kohli Career Statistics (January 2026)”
- Wisden Almanack 2025: “The Evolution of the International Century”
- Cricbuzz Podcast: “Inside the Mind of a Champion: Kohli’s Mental Game”
- Sachin Tendulkar Autobiography ‘Playing It My Way’ (2014)
- ESPNcricinfo Analysis: “Kohli vs Tendulkar: A Statistical Deep Dive”