Indian batter Virat Kohli made history on Sunday by scoring a superb century in the third ODI against New Zealand in Indore. He looked in great touch throughout the innings and reached his hundred in just 91 balls, hitting 8 fours and 2 sixes. This was Kohli’s 7th ODI century against New Zealand – the most by any batter in this format. Before this match, he was tied at six centuries each with Australian legend Ricky Ponting and India’s Virender Sehwag. Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya share the third spot with five centuries each.
In the match, Kohli scored a fighting 124 off 108 balls, but his efforts were not enough. New Zealand sealed the series 2–1 after defeating India by 41 runs in the final ODI. After New Zealand put up 337 for eight, India had a poor start and slipped to 71 for four. Even though Kohli hit his 54th ODI century, and Nitish Kumar Reddy (53) and Harshit Rana (52) tried to pull the team back, India could not recover fully.
Fans react: Calls for Kohli to continue till 2027 World Cup
Kohli’s innings has set social media on fire. With him already stepping away from Tests and T20Is, fans are now urging him to continue till the 2027 World Cup, saying his hunger, fitness and form make him crucial for one final shot at a global title.
A user questioned whether Kohli should return to the longest format, writing, “Should Virat Kohli return to Test cricket? The condition of the Test cricket team is very bad anyway. What do you think ?”
Another fan hoped the break would recharge him, “Hope he comes back stronger and scores big 4 India after the break”.
A third user praised his century and expressed how much they’ll miss him, commenting, “That century today was pure class even though we lost the series . 54th ODI ton, 85th overall, and he’s still carrying us like always. But 6 months without seeing him in blue is gonna hurt bad”.
Another comment urged him to reconsider his Test retirement, stating, “Need to convince King Kohli to come out of red ball cricket retirement. If India has any outside chance for WTC then he needs to play all tests and we can see how fit he will be for WC2027 also”.
Mitchell and Phillips set up New Zealand’s big total
India were finally bowled out for 296 in 46 overs. New Zealand’s bowlers Zak Foulkes (3/77) and Kristian Clarke (3/54) shared six wickets between them, while young spinner Jayden Lennox impressed with 2/42 in his 10 overs.
Earlier in the day, centuries from Daryl Mitchell (137) and Glenn Phillips (106) set up New Zealand’s strong total of 337/8.
With this, India suffered their first-ever bilateral ODI series defeat to New Zealand at home, losing 2–1.