Key Points
- Record-Breaking Century: Virat Kohli scored his 7th ODI century against New Zealand.
- World Record: Surpassed Ricky Ponting and Virender Sehwag, who had 6 centuries each against NZ.
- Runs Record: Also became the Indian batsman with the most ODI runs against New Zealand.
- Match Context: Played at Indore during the decisive third ODI on January 18, 2026.
- Previous Milestone: Last century vs NZ was 117 runs at Wankhede on November 15, 2023.
- Historic 50th: That 2023 century was his record-breaking 50th ODI century, breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record.
In the third match of the three-match ODI series between India and New Zealand, Indian star player Virat Kohli scored a century, setting a major record. He became the first player in the world to score the most centuries against New Zealand, surpassing cricket legends Ricky Ponting and Virender Sehwag in this remarkable achievement.
World number one ODI batsman Virat Kohli scored his 7th century against New Zealand. With this, he surpassed former Australian captain Ricky Ponting and former Indian batsman Virender Sehwag, both of whom had scored 6 centuries against New Zealand. He also became the Indian batsman with the most ODI runs against New Zealand, adding another feather to his already illustrious cap.
Most Centuries in ODI Cricket Against New Zealand
The record books have been rewritten with Kohli’s latest feat. The updated list of players with the most centuries against New Zealand now stands as:
| Player | Country | Matches | Runs | Centuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | India | 36* | 1873* | 7* |
| Ricky Ponting | Australia | 51 | 1971 | 6 |
| Virender Sehwag | India | 23 | 1157 | 6 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | India | 42 | 1750 | 5 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 47 | 1519 | 5 |
*Statistics updated after January 18, 2026, match.
Journey to the Record
Virat Kohli’s previous ODI century against New Zealand (Black Caps) was on November 15, 2023. He scored this century in the first semi-final match of the 2023 ODI World Cup played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, where Kohli played a magnificent innings of 117 runs. In that historic match, Kohli completed his 50th century in ODI cricket, breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most ODI centuries and setting a new milestone that many considered unbreakable.
The Indore Masterclass
On January 18, 2026, at the Holkar Stadium in Indore, Kohli once again demonstrated his class and consistency against the Black Caps. Despite New Zealand posting a formidable total of 337/8, powered by centuries from Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips, Kohli’s century provided the backbone of India’s response. His innings were characterized by textbook technique, impeccable timing, and intelligent placement, reminding fans why he remains the world’s top-ranked ODI batsman.
Legacy Cemented
This seventh century against a single opponent not only breaks the tie with Ponting and Sehwag but also places Kohli in a league of his own. The achievement underscores his dominance across all formats and his ability to perform consistently against top-quality opposition. As the series concluded with New Zealand winning 2-1, Kohli’s century stood as a shining individual performance in an otherwise disappointing result for the home team.
