Virat Kohli Centuries In 2023

You blinked, and he scored another hundred. That felt like the story of 2023, didn’t it? Just when critics whispered that his peak had passed, Virat Kohli pulled out his bat and reminded everyone why people call him the king of modern cricket.

If you followed cricket even casually in 2023, you saw one thing clearly. Kohli loved three-digit scores again. He didn’t just score centuries; he owned the big moments. So let’s sit down like two cricket fans over chai and break down Virat Kohli centuries in 2023 properly, match by match, format by format, and moment by moment.

The Big Picture: How Many Centuries Did Kohli Score In 2023?

Before we dive into individual innings, let’s answer the main question.

Virat Kohli scored 8 international centuries in 2023.

Yes, eight.

He scored:

• 2 Test centuries

• 6 ODI centuries

• 0 T20I centuries

He finished the year with serious dominance in the 50-over format, especially during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. If you enjoy watching controlled aggression mixed with calculated risk, 2023 gave you a full buffet.

Now let’s unpack everything.

Test Centuries In 2023: Classic Kohli Returns

Kohli did not explode in Tests in 2023, but he delivered quality over quantity. When he scored, he made it count.

1. 186 vs Australia – Border-Gavaskar Trophy

He scored 186 runs against Australia in Ahmedabad during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

This innings felt like therapy for Indian fans. Kohli had waited years for a big Test hundred at home. He stayed patient, respected the bowlers, and built partnerships instead of chasing glory shots.

He:

• Faced over 350 deliveries

• Batted for more than 8 hours

• Controlled spinners calmly

He did not rush. He did not panic. He played old-school Test cricket. And honestly, that innings showed maturity more than aggression.

2. 121 vs West Indies – Trinidad

Kohli scored 121 runs against West Indies in Port of Spain.

He celebrated his 500th international match with a century. That felt poetic. He handled Caribbean conditions smartly and built the innings steadily.

He rotated strike beautifully and punished loose deliveries. That innings reminded everyone that class never fades.

ODI Centuries In 2023: This Was His Kingdom

If Test cricket showed patience, ODI cricket showed dominance.

Kohli owned 50-over cricket in 2023. He chased targets like a machine and built innings like a master architect.

Let’s go one by one.

1. 113 vs Sri Lanka – Guwahati

He opened 2023 with a bang. He scored 113 runs off 87 balls.

He attacked from the start. He smashed boundaries cleanly and looked unstoppable. That innings set the tone for his year.

2. 166 vs Sri Lanka – Thiruvananthapuram

This one felt personal.

He smashed 166 runs off 110 balls. He destroyed bowlers without mercy. He hit 13 fours and 8 sixes.

He looked hungry. He looked ruthless. Critics went silent.

3. 122* vs Pakistan – Asia Cup

Pressure? What pressure?

He scored 122 not out against Pakistan in the Asia Cup. Rain interruptions complicated the match, but Kohli handled everything calmly.

He built the innings patiently. He accelerated perfectly in the last phase. He punished pace and spin equally.

Big match. Big hundred.

4. 103* vs Bangladesh – Asia Cup

He scored 103 not out against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup.

He came in early and anchored the innings. He stayed unbeaten. He played risk-free cricket and guided the team smoothly.

He did not chase personal milestones. He chased control.

5. 117 vs New Zealand – World Cup Semi-Final

This one deserves bold letters.

117 runs in a World Cup semi-final.

He broke the record for most ODI centuries in history during this match. He surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s 49 ODI hundreds.

Let that sink in.

He scored his 50th ODI century in a World Cup semi-final. You cannot script drama better than that.

6. 100* vs South Africa – World Cup

He scored 100 not out against South Africa on his birthday during the World Cup.

The stage felt massive. The crowd roared constantly. He stayed calm.

He played classical cricket. He controlled tempo. He reached three figures with style.

Complete Statistical Summary

Here’s a consolidated statistical table of Virat Kohli centuries in 2023.

Why 2023 Felt Different

You probably noticed something.

Kohli didn’t swing blindly. He didn’t chase quick 60s. He built innings like a craftsman.

He:

• Focused on strike rotation

• Minimized risky shots early

• Accelerated after settling

He looked fitter. He looked calmer. He looked mentally lighter.

You could see clarity in his decision-making. He left balls smartly. He ran between wickets sharply. He trusted his process.

The World Cup 2023 Impact

Let’s talk about the World Cup because that tournament shaped his year.

Kohli scored:

• 765 runs in the tournament

• At an average above 95

• Including 3 centuries

He finished as the tournament’s highest run-scorer. He won Player of the Tournament.

He did not just score runs. He controlled chases. He absorbed pressure. He delivered consistency.

India did not lift the trophy, but Kohli dominated the narrative.

Comparing 2023 To His Previous Years

You might ask, “Was 2023 his best year?”

Statistically, earlier years like 2017 and 2018 showed explosive numbers too. But 2023 felt more emotional.

Why?

Because he returned from a lean patch.

Between 2020 and mid-2022, he struggled. Centuries disappeared. Critics questioned his hunger.

In 2023, he answered with numbers.

He did not argue. He batted.

The Evolution Of Kohli’s Batting

Young Kohli played aggressively from ball one. He chased bowlers. He dominated with flair.

2023 Kohli played smarter cricket.

He:

• Built phases inside innings

• Targeted specific bowlers

• Managed tempo scientifically

He treated ODI batting like chess.

He conserved energy early. He attacked in overs 35–45. He trusted his fitness for late acceleration.

You could see calculation in every stroke.

The Mental Comeback Story

Let’s get real for a second.

Form slumps hurt legends more than newcomers. When Kohli went three years without a century, the noise grew loud.

But he:

• Took breaks

• Worked on mental clarity

• Rebuilt confidence

In 2023, he looked mentally free. He smiled more. He celebrated calmly. He avoided over-the-top aggression.

That balance changed everything.

Did He Dominate All Conditions?

Yes, mostly.

He scored:

• In India

• In the Caribbean

• In high-pressure tournaments

He handled spin well. He handled pace comfortably. He adjusted to different match situations.

He did not rely on flat pitches. He created value through discipline.

Was 2023 Kohli’s Peak Again?

Peak numbers? Maybe not historically.

Peak maturity? Absolutely.

He combined experience with skill. He reduced reckless strokes. He focused on consistency.

And honestly, isn’t consistency the true mark of greatness?

The Sachin Milestone Moment

When Kohli crossed 49 ODI centuries, fans debated nonstop.

Could he break the record?

He did.

He reached 50 ODI centuries in 2023.

He broke the record in a World Cup semi-final.

He did not do it quietly. He did it in front of the world.

That moment defined his year.

What Made His Hundreds Special?

Every century carried context.

• Some came under pressure

• Some came while chasing

• Some came in knockout games

He did not score meaningless hundreds. He scored impact hundreds.

He built match-winning platforms.

He carried innings when wickets fell.

He controlled tempo when required.

Criticism That Still Exists

Some critics argue that Kohli slowed down in certain games.

They say he sometimes prioritized milestones.

But numbers counter that narrative.

He:

• Maintained high averages

• Anchored chases effectively

• Accelerated when needed

You cannot score 765 World Cup runs by playing selfish cricket.

The Fitness Factor

Kohli’s fitness deserves mention.

He:

• Ran hard singles

• Converted ones into twos

• Stayed sharp for long innings

At 35, he outworked many younger players.

Fitness fueled his consistency.

Legacy Boost In 2023

2023 strengthened his legacy.

He:

• Broke ODI century records

• Dominated a World Cup

• Delivered across formats

He reminded everyone why he belongs in the all-time great discussion.

What Can We Expect Next?

Will he maintain this hunger?

Age will challenge him. Young players will push him.

But 2023 proved one thing clearly.

Never write off Virat Kohli.

He adapts. He evolves. He responds.

Final Thoughts On Virat Kohli Centuries In 2023

Let’s recap clearly.

• 8 international centuries

• 6 ODI tons

• 2 Test tons

• 50th ODI century achieved

• Highest run-scorer in World Cup 2023

He silenced critics. He entertained fans. He created history.

And honestly, if you love cricket, you enjoyed watching him in 2023. You probably celebrated at least one of those centuries like it happened in your backyard.

He did not just score runs.

He told a comeback story.

He reminded us that class survives droughts.

He proved that hunger beats noise.

And if 2023 taught us anything, it taught us this: never doubt a champion who still loves the grind.