The pursuit of the 85th international 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 series opener at Vadodara, where India chased down 301 to take a 1-0 lead, the spotlight remains firmly on Virat Kohli.
Although India secured a four-wicket win, the King experienced a heartbreak of sorts, falling for a masterful 93 off 91 balls. Dismissed just seven runs shy of his 54th ODI ton by Kyle Jamieson in the 40th over, Kohli’s knock was the backbone of the chase, featuring his signature flick-shots and peerless strike rotation.
While the team celebrated the win, fans are now desperate for that elusive 85th ton at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, a venue where Kohli has a record of remarkable consistency but is yet to cross the triple-figure mark in ODIs. With his current red-hot form, Rajkot’s flat deck provides the perfect stage for him to finally bridge that 7-run gap.
Virat Kohli’s ODI record at Niranjan Shah Stadium (Rajkot)
Virat Kohli’s history at the Niranjan Shah Stadium (formerly SCA Stadium) is a tale of incredible individual starts that have rarely resulted in Indian victories. Across four separate ODI appearances, he has scored four consecutive half-centuries, proving he reads this pitch better than anyone else, yet he is still hunting for his first century here.
1) Game 1: vs England (Jan 11, 2013)
In the first-ever ODI at this venue, Kohli walked into a massive chase of 326. He looked in sublime touch immediately, racing to 15 runs off 18 balls with three boundaries before a rare lapse in concentration saw him caught off James Tredwell. While his contribution was small in volume, his intent was clear on a batting beauty. However, despite half-centuries from Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh, India lost by a narrow 9 runs, finishing at 316/9. This match established the stadium’s reputation as a high-scoring graveyard for bowlers.
2) Game 2: vs South Africa (Oct 18, 2015)
Chasing 271 on a pitch that began to grip and turn, Kohli played a masterpiece of an anchor role. He scored 77 runs off 99 balls, striking 5 boundaries and keeping India on course alongside MS Dhoni. He looked certain to carry India home, but a tired shot against Morne Morkel in the 45th over saw him hole out to long-on. His dismissal triggered a collapse, and India eventually fell short by 18 runs. It was a classic case of Kohli doing the heavy lifting only for the finish to remain out of reach.
3) Game 3: vs Australia (Jan 17, 2020)
Kohli finally tasted team success at Rajkot in this high-pressure encounter. After a solid start by Dhawan, Kohli walked in and dismantled the Australian spin duo of Zampa and Agar. He hammered 78 runs off 76 balls, showcasing elite running between the wickets. His partnership with KL Rahul propelled India to a massive 340/6. Unlike previous occasions, the bowlers backed his effort, and India bowled Australia out for 304 to win by 36 runs. This remains Kohli’s highest score at the venue to date.
4) Game 4: vs Australia (Sept 27, 2023)
In a mammoth chase of 353, Kohli once again proved he is a different beast in Rajkot. He looked arguably the most comfortable batter on the park, timing the ball with ease to reach 56 runs off 61 balls (5 fours, 1 six). He was set for a big one until he played a Glenn Maxwell delivery straight to mid-wicket. His dismissal at 171/3 effectively ended India’s realistic hopes of a chase, and they lost by 66 runs. This marked his fourth 50+ score in as many games at the ground, leaving him with a ground average of 56.50.
Also 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 announcing his retirement from Test cricket on May 12, 2025, Virat Kohli has entered a “specialist phase” that has the cricketing world in awe. By stepping away from the long-form game after 123 Tests and 9,230 runs, he has focused his physical and mental reserves exclusively on the 50-over format. This shift has resulted in a staggering peak in performance; since June 2025, Kohli has scored four centuries in his last eight ODIs, including back-to-back tons against South Africa () in late 2025.
In the current series against New Zealand, he achieved a monumental milestone by becoming the fastest player to reach 28,000 international runs (624 innings), breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record by 20 innings. His current ODI average has climbed back above 58.00, and he is batting with a strike rate of 105+, suggesting that the King is more dangerous than ever when he only has one format to conquer. He is no longer playing for survival or rank; he is playing with the clinical freedom of a man destined to retire at the very top of the World Cup 2027.
