There are moments in cricket when numbers alone fail to capture the full story. Virat Kohli’s latest ODI century against New Zealand was one such moment. At 37, when questions about longevity, workload, and future World Cup plans grow louder, Kohli once again delivered a reminder that class does not age—and pressure only sharpens it. His record-extending 54th ODI hundred, scored in the third and final ODI against New Zealand, was not just another milestone; it was a powerful statement about relevance, resilience, and irreplaceability.

As India look ahead to the ICC World Cup 2027, debates around team composition and transition have intensified, particularly after Kohli stepped away from Test cricket. Yet, performances like the one in Indore make one thing abundantly clear: writing off Virat Kohli is a mistake cricket has seen before—and learned from.

The Chase Master Strikes Again

Virat Kohli’s reputation as the ultimate run-chaser is not built on hype, but on hard evidence. His century against New Zealand marked his 29th ODI hundred while chasing, an extraordinary statistic that underlines why he is often referred to as the “Chase Master.” Even more impressively, 25 of those centuries have come in successful run chases, excluding this particular knock, further highlighting his unmatched consistency under pressure.

In the ongoing India vs New Zealand series, Kohli’s form has been a storyline in itself. He narrowly missed a hundred in the opening ODI at Vadodara, falling for a fluent 93. That innings still played a crucial role in India’s win. Contrast that with the match he failed in, which coincided with a disastrous outing for Team India—an indicator of just how central he remains to the ODI setup.

By the third ODI, Kohli ensured there would be no repeat of missed milestones. His 124 off 108 balls, laced with eight fours and two sixes, showcased control, timing, and composure—hallmarks of his batting across eras.

A Lone Warrior in a Collapsing Chase

Chasing a daunting 338-run target after New Zealand posted 337 for eight, India found themselves in deep trouble early. The top order crumbled, and the scoreboard read a worrying 71 for four. On a surface that demanded patience rather than panic, Kohli chose to anchor the innings, resisting the temptation to force the pace too early.

He first stitched together a vital 88-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Nitish Kumar Reddy, who contributed a valuable 53. This stand revived India’s hopes and restored some belief in a chase that had begun to slip away. Kohli then found another capable ally in Harshit Rana. The duo added 99 runs in just 69 balls, with Rana playing a fearless hand of 52 off 43 deliveries.

As long as Kohli stood at the crease, the sense persisted that the impossible was still within reach. His eventual dismissal for a valiant 124 effectively ended India’s resistance, but by then, he had ensured the contest stayed alive far longer than expected.

India were eventually bowled out for 296 in 46 overs, falling 41 runs short, as New Zealand clinched the series 2–1.

A Century That Rewrote ODI History

While the result did not go India’s way, Kohli’s innings carried immense historical significance. With this knock, he surpassed Ricky Ponting’s tally of 12,655 runs at number three in ODIs, becoming the highest run-scorer in the format at that batting position with 12,662 runs.

This was also Kohli’s:

• 54th ODI century

• 85th international hundred

• 41st ODI hundred on Indian soil

• 7th ODI century against New Zealand

These numbers are not just milestones; they are markers of sustained excellence across conditions, opponents, and phases of his career.

Dominance Against New Zealand and Beyond

Virat Kohli’s love affair with New Zealand bowling continued with this innings. He now holds the record for the most ODI centuries against New Zealand, scoring seven hundreds in just 36 innings.

Most ODI Hundreds vs New Zealand:

• Virat Kohli – 7 (36 innings)

• Ricky Ponting – 6 (50 innings)

• Virender Sehwag – 6 (23 innings)

• Sachin Tendulkar – 5 (41 innings)

• Sanath Jayasuriya – 5 (45 innings)

Across formats, Kohli’s dominance is even more striking. He has 10 international centuries against New Zealand, the most by any batter, ahead of legends like Jacques Kallis, Joe Root, and Sachin Tendulkar.

Most Hundreds vs New Zealand (All Formats):

• Virat Kohli – 10 (73 innings)

• Jacques Kallis – 9 (76 innings)

• Joe Root – 9 (71 innings)

• Sachin Tendulkar – 9 (80 innings)

Additionally, Kohli now has seven or more ODI hundreds against five different teams—10 against Sri Lanka, nine against West Indies, eight against Australia, and seven each against South Africa and New Zealand—an illustration of his adaptability against varied bowling attacks.

Numbers That Silence Doubt

Beyond individual matches, Kohli’s recent averages tell a compelling story. In 2025, he scored runs at an average of 65, and in 2026, that figure soared beyond 100. These are not the numbers of a player nearing the end—they are the numbers of a batter still operating at the peak of his powers.

His overall ODI record against top teams further cements his greatness:

• Against Australia: 53 matches, average of 53, with 8 centuries

• Against England: Average of 41, with 3 centuries

• Against New Zealand: Nearly 1,900 runs in 36 matches at an average close to 60, with 7 centuries

• Against Pakistan: 778 runs in 17 matches at an average of 60, with 4 centuries

Such consistency against elite opposition explains why he remains the World No. 1 ODI batter, and why any discussion about his place in the team for World Cup 2027 feels premature.

The Match in Brief

New Zealand’s innings was powered by two magnificent centuries. Daryl Mitchell (137) and Glenn Phillips (106) punished the Indian attack, guiding the visitors to 337 for eight in their 50 overs. For India, Arshdeep Singh (3/63) and Harshit Rana (3/84) were the standout bowlers.

In response, India’s chase revolved around Kohli’s brilliance. Support came from Nitish Kumar Reddy (53) and Harshit Rana (52), but New Zealand’s disciplined bowling attack held firm. Zak Foulkes (3/77) and Kristian Clarke (3/54) shared six wickets, while rookie spinner Jayden Lennox impressed with 2/42 from 10 overs.

Why Virat Kohli Still Matters

At 37, Virat Kohli continues to play like a man carrying the weight of expectation—and thriving under it. The questions about whether India should look beyond him for the 2027 World Cup may persist, but performances like this provide the clearest answer possible.

Kohli is not just a batter; he is a stabilizer in chaos, a belief system in run chases, and a benchmark for excellence. Even in defeat, his innings against New Zealand served as a reminder of why Indian cricket still leans on him when the stakes are highest.

World Cup 2027 may still be some distance away, but if recent form is any indication, Virat Kohli is not just part of India’s future plans—he remains central to them. And he should step away only when the time feels right, not when doubt tries to force the door closed.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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