5 instances when Virat Kohli's ODI centuries came in unsuccessful chases

Virat Kohli finished as the highest run-scorer for India in the ODI series against New Zealand.

Indian cricket team legend Virat Kohli is often considered the best batsman in the 50-over format. He owns the record for most centuries in One-Day Internationals and is the only batter to touch the mark of 50 tons in the format.

The 37-year-old batter is in the final stages of his international career. Having retired from tests and T20Is, his next focus is to play for India in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027. In recent times, the right-handed batter has rocked with his performances in ODIs.

With two centuries and one half-century in the 50-over series against South Africa last year, Kohli played a pivotal role in India’s 2-1 victory in the campaign. Finishing as the highest run-scorer with 302 runs, he was adjudged Player of the Series.

Kohli followed up with his impeccable performance in the ODI series against New Zealand in January 2026, hammering a half-century and a century across three games. However, despite scoring a century (124) in the series-decider third ODI in Indore, Kohli failed to bring the team home.

He played an anchor role in the 338-run chase, as other key batters lost their wickets cheaply. Hence, Kohli’s ton went in vain as the Men in Blue lost the clash by 41 runs, losing an ODI series against New Zealand at home for the first time.

Notably, it was only the fifth time that Virat could not bring the team home with his century in the second innings. On that note, below are five instances when Kohli’s ODI century came in unsuccessful chases.

5. 123 vs New Zealand (2014)

In the first ODI of the five-match series in January 2014, New Zealand set a target of 293 runs for India. The clash took place at McLean Park in Napier. Kohli hammered 123 runs off 111 deliveries in the encounter, smacking 11 boundaries and two sixes. However, he didn’t get enough support from other batters.

Ultimately, India lost the match by 24 runs, as the entire team was bowled out for 268 runs in the second innings. Mitchell McClenaghan’s four-wicket haul played a crucial role in the Kiwis’ victory.

Notably, Kohli was the only batter to smash a century in the match. However, Corey Anderson was awarded Player of the Match for his unbeaten fifty.

4. 106 vs Australia (2016)

In January 2016, India and Australia locked horns in the fourth ODI at Manuka Oval in Canberra. This time too, Kohli gave a glimpse of his chasing skills, smacking 106 runs off 92 deliveries. His innings was laced with 11 fours and one six.

However, he could not bring the team home as they failed to chase down a mammoth 349-run target. The visitors were bowled out for 323 runs and lost by 25 runs. Shikhar Dhawan also supported Kohli with his ton; however, Indian batters were helpless against the challenging total on the board.

3. 107 vs West Indies (2018)

India and the West Indies squared off in a five-match ODI series in October 2018. In the third encounter of the campaign, West Indies set a target of 284 runs after being asked to bat first. In the chase, the hosts lost their star openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan cheaply.

Captain Kohli, batting at number 3, rocked the MCA Stadium in Pune with his century. With 10 boundaries and one six, he scored 107 runs off 119 deliveries. However, he lost his wicket in the 42nd over, which hampered India’s chances of victory.

As other batters completely failed to support him, the Men in Blue were bundled out for 240 runs. Kohli lost his wicket at a crucial moment, with the scoreboard reading 220 runs. His dismissal shattered the team’s batting dominance, and they finished on the losing side. Notably, none of the other Indian batters scored a half-century in the match.

2. 123 vs Australia (2019)

In 2019, India hosted Australia for a five-match ODI series. In the third game in Ranchi, the Men in Blue elected to field first after winning the toss. Australia, led by Aaron Finch, put up 313/5 on the scoreboard with brilliant knocks by Usman Khawaja (104) and Finch (93).

In the challenging chase, the Men in Blue lost both their openers cheaply, with Dhawan and Rohit getting out for 1 and 14 runs respectively. However, Kohli showed his mettle with the bat, smacking 123 runs off 95 deliveries that included 16 fours and one six.

As other batters even failed to cross the 35-run mark, Kohli was like a one-man Army in the clash. However, he failed to steal victory for his side as Virat Kohli & Co. were bowled out for 281 runs, losing the clash by 32 runs.

1. 124 vs New Zealand (2026)

The IND vs NZ 3rd ODI in Indore on January 18 gets the last spot on this list. New Zealand, after being asked to bat first by Indian captain Shubman Gill, posted a big total of 337/8 in the first innings. Daryl Mitchell’s (137) and Glenn Phillips (106) centuries led the way for Black Caps’ huge total in the clash.

In the chase, Kohli scored 124 runs off 108 deliveries, with the top and middle-order batters failing to support him. All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy and tailender Harshit Rana hit fifties and etched crucial partnerships with Virat.

However, Kohli was helpless against the high required rate towards the end and lost his wicket while trying to hit a six. The Men in Blue were bowled out for 296 and lost by 41 runs as New Zealand captured their first-ever ODI series victory on Indian soil.

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