Virat Kohli turned 38 on November 5, 2026, with the 2027 ODI World Cup potentially marking the final chapter of his international career. While helping India lift another World Cup trophy remains a major target, the Indian batting stalwart also has a historic individual milestone within reach: becoming the second player to score 100 international centuries.
Kohli has already achieved almost everything the game has to offer. He has won the ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy with India, while his long-awaited IPL triumph with Royal Challengers Bengaluru added another major achievement to his career. Yet, his hunger to compete and influence matches remains evident.
His fitness, intensity on the field and ability to take charge of run-chases continue to make him a central figure in India’s ODI setup. While questions about his international future have persisted, the prospect of signing off after the 2027 World Cup could provide an additional motivation.
The pursuit of 100 international centuries also remains alive. Sachin Tendulkar is the only cricketer to have reached the landmark, finishing his career with 100 international hundreds. Kohli, who has retired from T20Is and Test cricket, currently has 86 international centuries and needs 14 more to equal Tendulkar’s record.
His recent ODI form has revived the possibility. Since retiring from red-ball cricket in 2025, Kohli has scored four ODI centuries in 16 matches, averaging a century every four games.
His four hundreds during this period include 135 against South Africa in Ranchi on November 30, 2025, followed by 102 in Raipur on December 3. He then scored another 102 against New Zealand in Indore on January 18, 2026, before remaining unbeaten on 139 against the West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27, 2026.
The road ahead offers Kohli several opportunities to add to that tally. India has four ODIs remaining against New Zealand, followed by three against Sri Lanka and three against Zimbabwe. The proposed ODI Asia Cup in 2027 could provide another seven matches, while approximately six additional fixtures are yet to be confirmed by the BCCI before the World Cup.
That could give Kohli around 30 to 35 ODI appearances before the 2027 World Cup concludes. If India reach the final, they could play as many as 13 matches during the tournament.
To reach 100 international centuries, Kohli would need to score 14 hundreds in that period, translating to roughly one century every 2.5 matches.
As Kohli enters his 39th year, the challenge is clear. The 2027 World Cup offers him an opportunity to pursue another global title, while the chase for 100 international centuries could add an extraordinary personal milestone to his final years in the game. Whether he achieves both remains to be seen, but his recent performances have kept the possibility alive.
