Virat Kohli’s latest ODI century against the West Indies was more than just another hundred.
When he smashed an unbeaten 139 off 88 balls in Thiruvananthapuram, Virat Kohli reached his 55th ODI century and crossed the huge milestone of 15,000 ODI runs. But there is another part of his century story that makes his career even more interesting — a remarkable number of his hundreds have come while India were chasing a target.
From his first ODI century in 2009 to his 55th in 2026, Kohli’s journey has been built around one familiar situation: India need runs, the pressure is high, and Kohli walks in ready to chase.
The Beginning: Virat Kohli’s First ODI Century
Kohli’s first ODI century came against Sri Lanka on December 24, 2009, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
He scored 107 runs, announcing himself as a young batter capable of playing a long innings at the international level. India won the match, and that hundred became the first entry in what would eventually become one of the biggest ODI century collections in cricket history.
At that point, nobody could know that this was the beginning of a journey toward 55 ODI centuries.
His second century came only a few weeks later against Bangladesh, where he scored an unbeaten 102. Again, India won.
That pattern would become familiar over the years.
From Young Batter to India’s Reliable Chaser
As Kohli’s career developed, his reputation in run chases grew rapidly.
One of the innings that really captured attention came in 2012 against Pakistan, when Virat Kohli scored a magnificent 183 in Dhaka. India were chasing 330, and Kohli played an innings that showed he could handle a huge target without allowing the pressure to take over.
There were many more memorable chases after that.
His unbeaten 133 against Sri Lanka in Hobart in 2012 helped India chase down 321 in just 36.4 overs. His unbeaten 100 against Australia in Jaipur in 2013 came during another successful chase, this time with India chasing 360.
These innings helped create the image that eventually became attached to Kohli: the Chase Master.
The Numbers Behind the Chase Master
The nickname is not only about memorable innings.
By the time Kohli reached his 55th ODI century, he had scored 30 ODI centuries while chasing, according to recent statistical reports. That means more than half of his ODI hundreds have come when India were batting second.
His numbers in successful chases are also remarkable. Recent statistics show that Kohli has scored 6,374 runs in successful ODI chases, averaging more than 90.
These numbers help explain why his batting has become so closely connected with run chases.
But numbers alone don’t tell the whole story.
Kohli’s biggest strength in a chase has often been his ability to understand the situation. He can start carefully, build a partnership, find boundaries when required and then increase the scoring rate as the target gets closer.
The 50th Century and Beyond
Kohli’s 50th ODI century came against New Zealand in the 2023 World Cup semi-final at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
That hundred was another major moment in his career because it took him beyond Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 ODI centuries.
From there, Kohli continued adding to his record.
His 51st century came against Pakistan in 2025, followed by more hundreds against South Africa. Then came the 55th.
The 55th Century: Another Chase, Another Record
On September 27, 2026, India were chasing 296 against West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram.
Virat Kohli walked in and produced another classic chase innings.
He reached his century in just 74 balls and finished unbeaten on 139 from 88 balls. His innings included 10 fours and nine sixes as India completed the chase with eight wickets in hand.
The century was his 55th in ODI cricket and his 30th while chasing.
He also reached 15,000 ODI runs during the innings, becoming only the second batter after Sachin Tendulkar to reach that landmark.
There was something fitting about the way the 55th century arrived.
Virat Kohli’s first ODI hundred came in a winning Indian performance.
His 55th came during another successful chase.
The numbers had changed dramatically, but the basic story remained remarkably familiar.
From 107 to 139*: A Journey of 55 Centuries
Kohli’s 55 ODI centuries tell the story of different stages of his career.
There was the young Kohli trying to establish himself.
Then came the aggressive Kohli who turned run chases into personal challenges.
Later came the experienced batter who understood exactly when to attack and when to control the innings.
And now, at 55 ODI centuries, Kohli remains one of the most productive century-makers the format has seen.
His century list includes performances against Sri Lanka, Australia, West Indies, New Zealand, South Africa, Bangladesh, Pakistan, England and Zimbabwe. He now has 10 ODI centuries each against Sri Lanka and West Indies.
Why Virat Kohli’s Chasing Story Matters
A century is always special. But scoring one while chasing brings a different kind of pressure.
The target is visible.
Every wicket matters.
The required run rate keeps changing.
And the batter knows that one mistake can change the entire match.
Virat Kohli has spent much of his career in exactly that environment.
That is why the journey from his 1st ODI century in 2009 to his 55th in 2026 is more than a collection of numbers.
It is a story of learning how to chase, how to control pressure and how to finish games.
From 107 at Eden Gardens to 139 in Thiruvananthapuram*, Kohli has repeatedly shown why his name is so closely associated with ODI run chases.
And with 30 centuries already coming while chasing, the numbers have become an important part of the Virat Kohli story.
55 ODI centuries. 15,000 ODI runs. 30 centuries while chasing.
The milestones keep changing, but one thing has remained constant – when India has a target to chase, Virat Kohli has often been the man fans look toward.
