Ranchi, Nov 30 (KNS): Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma achieved major milestones on Sunday as India began their three-match ODI series against South Africa at the JSCA International Stadium. Kohli scored his 52nd ODI century, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 51 centuries in a single format, while Rohit Sharma set new records for sixes in ODIs and across international cricket.

Kohli Breaks Multiple Records
India were 25 for one when Kohli came to the crease after Yashasvi Jaiswal fell early to Nandre Burger. He immediately asserted control, hitting a boundary off his first ball and maintaining a steady rhythm throughout. Kohli shared a 136-run partnership with Rohit Sharma, marking their 20th century stand, second only to Tendulkar and Ganguly.

He reached his century in 102 balls, hitting five sixes and seven boundaries.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThe innings was his sixth century against South Africa in ODIs and his third century in Ranchi. Kohli also surpassed Ricky Ponting’s tally of 217 sixes at number three in international cricket, further cementing his place among the game’s all-time greats.

Rohit Sharma’s Six-Hitting Feat
Rohit Sharma crossed 352 sixes in ODIs, surpassing Shahid Afridi’s 351 to become the player with the most ODI sixes. In international cricket across all formats, Rohit now has 645 sixes, well ahead of Chris Gayle’s 553. He continues to hold the T20I record with 205 sixes and has 88 Test sixes, the third-highest for India.

The match highlighted the impact of India’s senior batters, signaling strong form as the team builds toward future ODI challenges, including the 2027 World Cup.