In the heart of Chhattisgarh, at the brand-new Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur, history was written on a Wednesday that will be remembered by every Indian cricket fan. While the match result was a bitter pill to swallow—a 359-run target chased down by a brilliant South African side—the day was immortalized by the sheer genius of Virat Kohli.
Kohli’s magnificent 102, his second consecutive ODI century, wasn’t just another entry in his illustrious career. It was a landmark that tied him with the ‘God of Cricket’ himself. The Kohli 34-venue record is now a reality, placing him shoulder-to-shoulder with Sachin Tendulkar in a unique and awe-inspiring category.
Table of Contents
- Kohli’s Record-Equalling Century in Raipur
- The Kohli 34-Venue Record: Explained
- Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Breakthrough Innings
- More Than Just a Venue Record: Other Milestones
- The Bigger Picture: Kohli’s Quest
- Summary
- Sources
Kohli’s Record-Equalling Century in Raipur
Kohli walked into bat with India in a slightly precarious position, but what followed was a masterclass in controlled aggression. His 102 off 93 balls was studded with boundaries and showcased his trademark focus. This knock was his 53rd ODI century, a monumental achievement in itself .
However, the true significance of this innings lay in its location. Raipur, a city hosting its first-ever ODI, became the stage for Kohli to secure a place in the history books. By scoring a century here, he achieved his Kohli 34-venue record, matching Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing benchmark for most venues with an ODI century .
The Kohli 34-Venue Record: Explained
This record is a testament to a player’s remarkable consistency and ability to perform on diverse pitches across the globe. It’s not just about scoring runs; it’s about conquering every major cricketing outpost.
Virat Kohli’s journey to this record has been a global odyssey. While venues like the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka and the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo are his personal fortresses (where he has four ODI centuries each), his genius has shone everywhere from Perth to Pune, and now, Raipur .
By achieving this feat at the 34th different venue, Kohli has demonstrated an unparalleled adaptability that defines true greatness in the modern era of cricket. This statistic is a powerful indicator of his legacy as a truly global run-machine.
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Breakthrough Innings
Kohli wasn’t the only star of the Indian batting lineup that day. Ruturaj Gaikwad, under immense pressure to deliver, played the innings of his life. He brought up his maiden ODI century in spectacular fashion, smashing 12 fours and two sixes en route to a brilliant ton .
Together, Kohli and Gaikwad forged a record-breaking 195-run partnership for the second wicket. This stand wasn’t just big; it was historic. They shattered a 15-year-old record previously held by the legendary duo of Sachin Tendulkar and Dinesh Karthik against the same opposition . Their partnership, “laden with silky boundaries and brisk running,” was the cornerstone of India’s imposing total .
More Than Just a Venue Record: Other Milestones
The Raipur ODI was a veritable treasure trove of records for Kohli, extending far beyond the Kohli 34-venue record:
- No. 3 Batting Dominance: This century was Kohli’s 46th while batting at the No. 3 position in ODIs, which officially surpasses Sachin Tendulkar’s previous record of 45, making him the sole owner of this world record .
- Consecutive Centuries: This was his second ODI century in a row, showcasing his red-hot form and ability to carry momentum from one match to the next .
- International Century Tally: This knock was his 84th century in international cricket, keeping him firmly on the path to one of the game’s most coveted records .
The Bigger Picture: Kohli’s Quest
While the immediate narrative is about equaling Tendulkar’s venue record, the larger story is Kohli’s relentless pursuit of his 100th international century. With 84 already under his belt, every innings he plays is a potential step towards that historic milestone.
Even in a losing cause, Kohli’s performances in the series have been a beacon of brilliance. His ability to produce these monumental knocks, regardless of the situation, cements his status not just as a player for India, but as one of the game’s all-time greats. His achievements are meticulously tracked on authoritative platforms like ESPNcricinfo, the gold standard for cricket statistics.
Summary
The 2nd ODI in Raipur will be remembered for Virat Kohli’s historic achievement of scoring ODI centuries at 34 different venues, a record he now shares with the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. His 53rd ODI ton, a scintillating 102, was perfectly complemented by Ruturaj Gaikwad’s maiden century, resulting in a record 195-run partnership. Despite their heroic efforts, South Africa’s successful chase left India to rue a missed opportunity. Nevertheless, the day belonged to Kohli, whose name now sits alongside his idol in the annals of cricketing history.
Sources
- Times of India: Virat Kohli equals Sachin Tendulkar’s world record
- ESPNcricinfo Records: Most ODI centuries at different venues
- Various reports confirming the 195-run partnership record [[21], [23], [28]]