The century drought now seems a distant memory. Virat Kohli is very much back and live as the former India captain has scored back-to-back centuries in ODI cricket for the first time in over three years. On Tuesday, Kohli notched up his 45th ton in the opening match against Sri Lanka at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, to not just take India's total well past 350, but also reach to a few personal milestones - two of which pertains to batting idol and India legend Sachin Tendulkar. (India vs Sri Lanka Live Score 1st ODI)
On September 8 of 2022, Kohli ended his over 1000 days of wait for an international century, having last scored in November 23 of 2019 with a match-winning 136 against Bangladesh in the Pink Ball Test. He eventually ended the year with a century against Bangladesh in an ODI match and followed his sublime form with a 113-run knock in 87 balls.
With the knock, laced with a solitary six and 12 boundaries, Kohli levelled Sachin's staggering century record at home. The two India batting stalwarts now have 20 tons on home soil. However, while Sachin amassed the tally in 160 innings, Kohli managed it in 61 innings less.
This was also Kohli's 9th century against Sri Lanka, a tally that he also owns against West Indies on ODI cricket, making him the only ever batter to have nine or more tons against two oppositions in the format. The only other batter to have achieved this feat is Sachin, against Australia.
{{/usCountry}}This was also Kohli's 9th century against Sri Lanka, a tally that he also owns against West Indies on ODI cricket, making him the only ever batter to have nine or more tons against two oppositions in the format. The only other batter to have achieved this feat is Sachin, against Australia.
{{/usCountry}}Albeit still in the second spot behind Sachin in terms of most ODI and international tons, Kohli now stands four centuries short of levelling his idol's tally in the 50-over format. Across formats, he still stands 27 centuries short of Sachin's 100 ton.
"I have had a bit of break, and a couple of practice sessions coming into this game, so I was fresh after that Bangladesh tour. I was excited for the home season to start. The openers allowed me to get into the game and I tried to keep my strike rate in check. I was happy I was able to maintain the tempo and we finished with 370," said Kohli at the end of India's innings.
India set a target of 374 runs for Sri Lanka in the 1st ODI.