The pursuit of the eighty fifth worldwide century reaches a fever pitch as India lands in Rajkot for the 2nd ODI against New Zealand on January 14, 2026. Following a high-stakes sequence opener at Vadodara, the place India chased down 301 to take a 1-0 lead, the highlight stays firmly on Virat Kohli.
Though India secured a four-wicket win, the King skilled a heartbreak of kinds, falling for a masterful 93 off 91 balls. Dismissed simply seven runs shy of his 54th ODI ton by Kyle Jamieson within the fortieth over, Kohli’s knock was the spine of the chase, that includes his signature flick-shots and peerless strike rotation.
Whereas the workforce celebrated the win, followers at the moment are determined for that elusive eighty fifth ton on the Niranjan Shah Stadium, a venue the place Kohli has a file of outstanding consistency however is but to cross the triple-figure mark in ODIs. Together with his present red-hot type, Rajkot’s flat deck gives the right stage for him to lastly bridge that 7-run hole.
Virat Kohli’s ODI file at Niranjan Shah Stadium (Rajkot)
Virat Kohli’s historical past on the Niranjan Shah Stadium (previously SCA Stadium) is a story of unbelievable particular person begins which have not often resulted in Indian victories. Throughout 4 separate ODI appearances, he has scored 4 consecutive half-centuries, proving he reads this pitch higher than anybody else, but he’s nonetheless looking for his first century right here.
1) Sport 1: vs England (Jan 11, 2013)
Within the first-ever ODI at this venue, Kohli walked into an enormous chase of 326. He seemed in chic contact instantly, racing to 15 runs off 18 balls with three boundaries earlier than a uncommon lapse in focus noticed him caught off James Tredwell. Whereas his contribution was small in quantity, his intent was clear on a batting magnificence. Nonetheless, regardless of half-centuries from Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh, India misplaced by a slender 9 runs, ending at 316/9. This match established the stadium’s repute as a high-scoring graveyard for bowlers.
2) Sport 2: vs South Africa (Oct 18, 2015)
Chasing 271 on a pitch that started to grip and switch, Kohli performed a masterpiece of an anchor function. He scored 77 runs off 99 balls, placing 5 boundaries and retaining India on target alongside MS Dhoni. He seemed sure to hold India house, however a drained shot in opposition to Morne Morkel within the forty fifth over noticed him gap out to long-on. His dismissal triggered a collapse, and India ultimately fell quick by 18 runs. It was a traditional case of Kohli doing the heavy lifting just for the end to stay out of attain.
3) Sport 3: vs Australia (Jan 17, 2020)
Kohli lastly tasted workforce success at Rajkot on this high-pressure encounter. After a stable begin by Dhawan, Kohli walked in and dismantled the Australian spin duo of Zampa and Agar. He hammered 78 runs off 76 balls, showcasing elite operating between the wickets. His partnership with KL Rahul propelled India to an enormous 340/6. Not like earlier events, the bowlers backed his effort, and India bowled Australia out for 304 to win by 36 runs. This stays Kohli’s highest rating on the venue to this point.
4) Sport 4: vs Australia (Sept 27, 2023)
In a mammoth chase of 353, Kohli as soon as once more proved he’s a distinct beast in Rajkot. He seemed arguably probably the most comfy batter on the park, timing the ball with ease to succeed in 56 runs off 61 balls (5 fours, 1 six). He was set for a giant one till he performed a Glenn Maxwell supply straight to mid-wicket. His dismissal at 171/3 successfully ended India’s practical hopes of a chase, and so they misplaced by 66 runs. This marked his fourth 50+ rating in as many video games on the floor, leaving him with a floor common of 56.50.
Additionally WATCH: CSK fever hits IND vs NZ 1st ODI as Devon Conway responds to chants at BCA Stadium
Kohli’s ODI surge post-test retirement
Since asserting his retirement from Take a look at cricket on Could 12, 2025, Virat Kohli has entered a “specialist section” that has the cricketing world in awe. By stepping away from the long-form recreation after 123 Checks and 9,230 runs, he has targeted his bodily and psychological reserves completely on the 50-over format. This shift has resulted in a staggering peak in efficiency; since June 2025, Kohli has scored 4 centuries in his final eight ODIs, together with back-to-back tons in opposition to South Africa () in late 2025.
Within the present sequence in opposition to New Zealand, he achieved a monumental milestone by changing into the fastest player to reach 28,000 international runs (624 innings), breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s file by 20 innings. His present ODI common has climbed again above 58.00, and he’s batting with a strike fee of 105+, suggesting that the King is extra harmful than ever when he solely has one format to overcome. He’s not taking part in for survival or rank; he’s taking part in with the medical freedom of a person destined to retire on the very prime of the World Cup 2027.
Additionally READ: IND vs NZ: Virat Kohli reveals where does he keeps his Player of the Match awards
