Virat Kohli is 37 years old, but his batting is not slowing down. In fact, he has become more dangerous since turning 35. Many players fade with age. Kohli has gone the other way.
Since he turned 35, Kohli has played 27 ODI innings. He has scored 1,555 runs. His average is an excellent 70.68. His strike rate is 100.51. He has hit seven centuries and nine fifties in that period. Those numbers show his hunger for runs has only grown.
Two days ago, Kohli scored his 55th ODI century. It came against the West Indies. During that innings, he also became the fastest player to reach 15,000 ODI runs. He broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record. Kohli reached the mark in 303 innings. Tendulkar needed 377 innings. That is a difference of 74 innings. Kohli also faced fewer balls. He got there in 15,950 balls. Tendulkar faced 17,528.
Kohli now has 15,080 ODI runs. Tendulkar finished with 18,426. In the past, catching Tendulkar’s total might have seemed possible. But ODI matches are becoming fewer. So it is now almost impossible for Kohli to pass Tendulkar’s overall run tally. Kohli’s 55 centuries are still growing. Tendulkar’s record is 49 ODI hundreds, which Kohli has already passed.
Scoring 55 ODI centuries is not a normal achievement. Many cricketers do not even play 55 matches in their entire career. Kohli is still driven. At 37, he seems focused on winning the 2027 World Cup. Until then, he is likely to keep scoring heavily.
…Embraces New Challenge at 37 as He Reinvents His ODI Batting Ahead of the 2027 World Cup
Virat Kohli is 37 years old. He has played international cricket for two decades. Most players at his age start slowing down, while Kohli is doing the opposite. He is trying to unlock a new version of himself.
Kohli scored an unbeaten 139 off 88 balls against West Indies on Sunday. It was his 55th ODI century. It was also his third-fastest hundred in the format. During the innings, he crossed 15,000 ODI runs. He is only the second player to reach that mark, after Sachin Tendulkar.
Kohli said he was challenged to raise his game at this stage of his career. He called it exciting. He said unlocking a new version helps him play with a free mind. That approach is working for him. Whether he plays for India or in the IPL, the mindset has helped.
In Thiruvananthapuram, Kohli hit a six within his first five balls. He went on to hit nine sixes in the innings, a new personal best. He also hit 10 fours. Three of those came back-to-back in the 29th over. That over took him past 15,000 runs.
Kohli said his focus has never been on milestones. He just tries to understand the situation and do his job for the team. Achievements come along the way. He feels grateful and blessed to have played for so long. He said he keeps his head down, works hard, and thanks God for everything.
His batting in ODIs used to be about taking fewer risks. He would set himself up for a long innings. That desire is still there. Before this series, he told JioHotstar that he wants to hit the winning runs in the 2027 World Cup final. But he has added a new goal. Once he feels set, he wants to score as many runs as possible off every ball. This year, he has scored 523 runs. That makes him the third-highest scorer of 2026. Among the top 50 run-scorers, only three can match or beat his strike rate of 116.74.
Kohli said he promised himself he would play positively because he can. He wants to continue that way. But he also knows there is a fine line. As an experienced player, he must avoid reckless shots. He must get the team through.
Kohli also spoke about what keeps him motivated. He said players must look back at where they came from. It is easy to forget that journey when you are surrounded by fame and attention. Remembering the journey as a child makes him feel grateful. He said he enjoys every minute of playing for India. He knows it could have been different. He might not have played for India at all. But he is living his dream. He has nothing but gratitude.
FAQs
Q. How many ODI runs has Virat Kohli scored since turning 35?
A. Kohli has scored 1,555 runs in 27 innings.
Q. How many ODI centuries has Kohli scored since turning 35?
A. Kohli has scored seven centuries.
Q. How many ODI runs has Kohli scored overall?
A. Kohli has scored 15,080 ODI runs.
Q. How many ODI centuries does Kohli have?
A. Kohli has scored 55 ODI centuries.
Q. What is Kohli targeting at the 2027 World Cup?
A. Kohli wants to help India win the World Cup.
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