1. The Holy Grail: 100 International Centuries
Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 100 international centuries (51 in Tests, 49 in ODIs) has long been considered cricket’s Mount Everest. For years, it seemed untouchable. However, Virat Kohli has made the impossible seem plausible. With a combined total of 85
centuries across all formats (30 in Tests, 54 in ODIs, and 1 in T20Is), he is the only active player within striking distance of this hallowed mark. Having retired from Test cricket, Kohli's chase now depends entirely on his form and longevity in One-Day Internationals. To score the remaining 15 hundreds, he would need to maintain an extraordinary conversion rate over the next couple of seasons, potentially playing into 2028. While challenging, his single-minded focus on ODIs makes this the most watched record pursuit in modern cricket.
2. King of ODIs: Most Runs in the Format
While Kohli is the undisputed king of ODI centuries, having surpassed Tendulkar’s 49 tons during the 2023 World Cup, the Master Blaster still holds the record for the most runs scored in the format. Tendulkar amassed an incredible 18,426 runs in his ODI career. As of late 2026, Kohli is second on that list, having recently crossed the 15,000-run milestone. He needs approximately 3,400 more runs to claim the top spot. Given his staggering career average of over 58, which is significantly higher than anyone else in the top ten all-time run-scorers, this record is well within his grasp if he continues to play for a few more years. Surpassing this would cement his status as the greatest 50-over batsman of all time in every statistical sense.
3. Ultimate Consistency: Most Player of the Series Awards
This record speaks volumes about a player's sustained dominance rather than a single great performance. The Player of the Series award recognizes the most impactful cricketer over an entire campaign. As of October 2026, Virat Kohli leads this all-format chart with 22 awards. He is followed closely by Sachin Tendulkar, who has 20. Kohli's awards are spread across Tests (3), ODIs (12), and T20Is (7), showcasing his incredible consistency across all three formats during his peak. Tendulkar's 20 awards came from just Tests (5) and ODIs (15). With a few more bilateral ODI series on the calendar before he considers retirement, Kohli has a strong chance to extend his lead and set a new benchmark for long-term, series-defining excellence that will be incredibly difficult for future players to match.
4. The All-Format Titan: Most Runs in International Cricket
Beyond individual formats, the record for the most runs scored across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is combined is a testament to a player's longevity, adaptability, and relentless run-scoring appetite. Sachin Tendulkar sits atop this mountain with a staggering 34,357 international runs. Virat Kohli, with over 28,000 runs to his name, is currently in the top echelon of this elite club. Although he has retired from Tests, his continued presence in the ODI team keeps this distant, yet mathematically possible, record in sight. It would require him to play for several more years and score heavily in every series. While it may be the toughest record to break on this list, getting into the top two or three of all time is a near certainty, further cementing his legacy as one of the most complete batters the game has ever seen.
5. Conquering Test Cricket's Peak: Most Test Centuries
Although Kohli retired from Test cricket with 30 centuries and 9,230 runs, this record remains a fascinating 'what if' and a benchmark for greatness. The record for most Test centuries is held by Sachin Tendulkar with 51. Joe Root of England, who is still playing, has also moved up the ranks, making the top of the leaderboard a competitive space. While Kohli will not break this record himself, his 30 hundreds place him in an elite group of players. His achievement of scoring centuries in and against every country he played in (except Bangladesh) highlights his ability to adapt and succeed in all conditions. His Test career stands as a monumental achievement, and though Tendulkar's 51 tons are safe from him, Kohli's run set a high bar for the next generation of Test purists.
