IND vs SA 2025: ‘Very rarely have we seen the T20 avatar in ODI cricket’ – Sunil Gavaskar backs Virat Kohli to get 100 international tons

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar is confident that Virat Kohli will end up scoring 100 international centuries by the time he hangs up his boots. He will be in action against New Zealand in January 2026.

Gavaskar claimed that Kohli has enough in him to score the remaining 16 hundreds in the next three years. He also remarked that the ace batter has not been taking any burden and seems to be playing freely.

“Why not? Even if he plays for three more years, he needs 16 hundreds from here. The way he has been batting, he has scored two hundreds in a three-match series. Going forward, even if he scores two more against New Zealand in a three-match series, he will reach 87. The chances of him getting to 100 are big, very good. The way he has been batting, he is enjoying himself,” shared Gavaskar while speaking to JioStar.

Gavaskar complimented the manner in which Kohli batted for his unbeaten 45-ball 65 in Visakhapatnam on December 6. He highlighted the risk-free approach Kohli batted with, making him feel as if it was 20-over contest.

“The way he batted today (Saturday), knowing the match was almost in India’s pocket—he knew a good foundation had been laid by the openers and that batters in good form were to follow. Hence, he enjoyed himself in the middle. Very rarely have we seen this version of Virat Kohli—the T20 avatar—in ODI cricket. He played his shots from the second ball, and not one of them was reckless. Can anyone tell me whether there was an inside-edge or an outside-edge in his innings?,” he added.

India won the first and third ODIs to clinch the three-match series by a 2-1 margin. Kohli was adjudged the Player of the Series for 302 runs in three innings, including two centuries.

The Men in Blue will now face South Africa in five T20Is to wrap up the all-format series.