Virat Kohli scored his 50th ODI century to become the first ever batter to reach the milestone. He surpassed Sachin Tendulkar's record for the most ODI century in the history of the game. Kohli scored 117 from 113 balls to shatter the record books. Sachin Tendulkar himself showed his love for the superstar's record on social media. Here's how the world reacted to Virat Kohli's 50th ODI ton.
The first time I met you in the Indian dressing room, you were pranked by other teammates into touching my feet. I couldn't stop laughing that day. But soon, you touched my heart with your passion and skill. I am so happy that that young boy has grown into a 'Virat' player.
Today, @imVkohli has not just scored his 50th ODI century but has also exemplified the spirit of excellence and perseverance that defines the best of sportsmanship.
This remarkable milestone is a testament to his enduring dedication and exceptional talent.
Today, @imVkohli has not just scored his 50th ODI century but has also exemplified the spirit of excellence and perseverance that defines the best of sportsmanship.
This remarkable milestone is a testament to his enduring dedication and exceptional talent.
David Beckham said - "I am in India at the right time, I've sent the Diwali festival and today I saw Virat Kohli bat and he reached 50th ODI century". pic.twitter.com/UWjYXWfDhd
Can Shubman Gill or Sai Sudharsan break Kohli's record of most IPL runs in a single season?
Virat Kohli's 973 runs in IPL 2016 stands as a monumental record. Can Shubman Gill or Sai Sudharsan break Kohli's record of most IPL runs in a single season?
Breaking records is what IPL is all about and Virat Kohli's record of 973 runs in IPL 2016 is unmatched for 9 years. IPL 2025 can be the record-breaking year, as GT's opening pair is having an incredible season with the bat, shuffling the orange cap with every match.
As we are heading towards the end of the tournament, it will be a major thing to keep an eye on.
Can Shubman Gill or Sai Sudharsan break Kohli's record of most IPL runs in a single season? Or maybe it is truly unbreakable.
How big is Virat Kohli's 973-run record?
Virat Kohli celebrating his 3rd century of IPL 2016 season. Image | ESPNcricinfo
Virat Kohli set the batting standards up in IPL 2016 that everyone talks about till date. He scored 973 runs in 16 matches with an 80+ average.
He scored 4 centuries and 7 half-centuries for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, bagging the Orange cap in that season.
This is the phenomenal record of most runs in a single IPL season that no one could break since 2016.
Shubman Gill in action for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025. Image | TOI
The only player who ever came to Kohli's record is Shubman Gill, with his 890-run season in IPL 2023. He is having another successful one in IPL 2025 and has already surpassed the 600-run mark.
The way Gill is firing this season for Gujarat Titans, he might just break the record and get in top. He scored 601 runs in 12 matches with 6 half-centuries to his name so far.
Calculating the remaining target for Shubham Gill
With potentially 5 innings left (2 league matches + playoffs), the race is heating up. This is subject to GT to lose Qualifier 1 and get an extra innings to go play for the IPL title.
Required: 974-601 = 373 runs more (to break Kohli's record)
Required Avg for next 5 innings: 74.6 runs per inning
Required Avg if they get 4 innings to play: 93.25 runs per inning
Sai Sudharsan in action for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025. Image | Instagram
Sai Sudharsan is currently the leading run-scorer in the race for Orange Cap in IPL 2025. He scored 617 runs in 12 matches, with 1 century and 5 fifties to his name.
This rising star has remarkable potential to with the kind of explosive form he has right now.
Calculating the remaining target for Sai Sudharsan
As for GT, Sudharsan also gets the same number of innings as Gill. It is either 2 league matches and 2 playoff matches, or a loss in Qualifier 1 to get an extra innings, making it 5 innings in total.
Required: 974-617 = 357 runs more (to break Kohli's record)
Required Avg for next 5 innings: 71.4 runs per inning
Required Avg if they get 4 innings to play: 89.25 runs per inning
16 Indian Cricketers with stands named after them at a stadium
Discover 16 Indian Cricketers with stands named after them at a stadium, including legends like Tendulkar, Kohli, Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and the iconic Jhulan Goswami.
Some legendary Indian cricketers left their impact beyond the scorecards and records, which earned them an everlasting tribute. Their legacies live on the stadiums where they created their cricketing magic.
Curious to know the ones who had their contributions honored with their names on a stadium stand or pavilion? Scroll down to discover the 16 Indian Cricketers with stands named after them at a stadium.
1. Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar Stand at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE. Image | NDTV
The God of Cricket, Sachin Tendulkar, has 2 stands named after him. He was also honoured with a gate named after him at the Sydney Cricket Ground, unveiled on his 50th birthday.
MS Dhoni Pavilion at the JSCA International Stadium, Ranchi. Image | Instagram
Honoring the hometown hero, MS Dhoni Pavilion was named as a tribute to his legendary captaincy and achievements.
MS Dhoni Pavilion: JSCA International Stadium, Ranchi
4. Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma stand at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Image | Instagram
Acknowledging Rohit Sharma's elegant batting and leadership for India, the stand named after him at the Wankhede is a recent addition, inaugurated in 2025.
Rohit Sharma Stand: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
5. Sourav Ganguly
Sourav Ganguly stand at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Image | Instagram
Sourav Ganguly stand, unveiled in 2017, is a tribute to dada, not only for his influential captaincy, but also for his contributions as the former president of CAB and BCCI.
Sunil Gavaskar Pavilion at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Image | Alamy
The pavilion named after Sunil Gavaskar stands as a lasting tribute for the cricketing legend.
Sunil Gavaskar Pavilion: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
7. Yuvraj Singh
The inaugural of stands named after Yuvraj Singh, along with teammate Harbhajan Singh at the PCA Stadium, Punjab. Image | Instagram
The world cup hero and local boy of Punjab, Yuvraj Singh, was honored with a joint ceremony where two stands were named after him and his teammate, Harbhajan Singh.
VVS Laxman Pavilion at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. Image | Facebook
Known for his elegant batting style, VVS Laxman was given the tribute with a pavilion named after him at his hometown (Hyderabad).
VVS Laxman Pavilion: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
10. Mohammad Azharuddin
Mohammad Azharuddin posing in front of his stand at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. Image | Crossbill
The former captain of Indian team, Mohammad Azharuddin, was honored with a stand at his beloved ground in his homecity, Hyderabad.
Mohammad Azharuddin Stand: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
11. Jhulan Goswami
Jhulan Goswami posing in front of the stand named after her at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Image | Twitter
In 2023, Eden Gardens celebrated and honored the legendary pride of Bengal, Jhulan Goswami. Her name stands as the only woman on this list to achieve this milestone.
Gautam Gambhir Stand at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. Image | TOI
From crucial role in World Cup victories for India, to his role as the head coach, Gautam Gambhir truly deserves the stand named after him in his home ground.
Gautam Gambhir Stand: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
13. Dilip Vengsarkar
Dilip Vengsarkar Stand at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
Wankhede holds the name of many spectacular players and Dilip Vengsarkar is one of them. It celebrates he golden moments in cricket.
Dilip Vengsarkar Stand: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
14. Vijay Merchant
Vijay Merchant Stand at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Image | Instagram
Yet another elegant player to have a stand named after them at the Wankhede. Vijay Merchant's quality contributions are highly appreciated.
Vijay Merchant Stand: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
15. Ajit Wadekar
Ajit Wadekar Stand alongside Sharad Pawar Stand at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
The former Indian captain and influential figure, Ajit Wadekar, holds a prestigious stand named after him, alongside Sharad Pawar.
Ajit Wadekar Stand: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
16. Virender Sehwag
Virender Sehwag Gate at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi.
While we discuss stands or pavilions, it is worth noting that the gate no. 2 at Arun Jaitley Stadium was named after the legendary cricketer, Virender Sehwag, as a tribute.
"Wear whites for Virat": RCB fans in Bengaluru to wear white for Virat Kohli Test tribute
Get ready to witness a sea of whites in Chinnaswamy stadium. RCB fans in Bengaluru to wear white for Virat Kohli Test tribute. Check the full article for all the details.
RCB fans in Bengaluru to wear white for Virat Kohli Test tribute? Yes! Fans are planning a special "wear white" initiative and asking the crowd to show up in whites for the upcoming RCB vs KKR match at Chinnaswamy Stadium on May 17, 2025.
As the IPL is set to resume tomorrow, and we will witness Virat Kohli play his first match after his announcement of test retirement, fans are organising a heartfelt tribute for the King!
The viral spread of white wave
A fan-driven moment is going viral recently where they call the crowd to wear white for a collective tribute to Virat Kohli after his test retirement.
Whether you have a test jersey or not, all they ask for is wearing anything white instead of the jerseys of IPL franchises.
Discussions on Reddit
The white tribute takes shape on reddit as fans try to reach out as much as possible.
Reddit discussion thread on wear white in Chinnaswamy tribute. Image | Reddit
Comments on RCB's official Instagram handle. Image | Instagram
Hashtags like #WearWhiteForVirat, #KohliTestTribute, and #KohliTestFarewell are the ones people are using to make this a trend before the upcoming IPL 2025 match.
Comments on RCB's official Instagram handle. Image | Instagram
Content Creators spreading the word
Many content creators have joined hands to support this initiative and they are getting huge responses.
Hey @RCBTweets fans, are you planning to turn up in white for the game on the 17th? Remember seeing a post suggesting that. It will be incredible and a sight for the ages if true and if you can pull it off.
The Kohli Effect: Will Indian fans lose interest in Test cricket after Virat Kohli's retirement?
Virat Kohli's influence on cricket in India is huge. Now that he has retired from tests, here we are to examine "The Kohli Effect." Will Indian fans lose interest in Test cricket after Virat Kohli's retirement? It is an important question to follow.
Virat Kohli's decision to step away from tests makes it a key question to ask, observe and analyse its effects on fans and their engagement with Test cricket.
People on the internet are talking about the closure of a big chapter. So, now that the chapter is closed, it will be crucial to check if the fans still embrace the long format.
Let's dive into the depths of this particular question that will rise in the days ahead: Will Indian fans lose interest in Test cricket after Virat Kohli's retirement?
Kohli's unmatched influence on Test cricket fandom
Virat Kohli walking out of the pavillion as the crowd cheer up in joy. Image | Pinterest
Virat Kohli has left his mark and impact beyond just his bat and performance. The sentimental connection fans had with him in tests is hard to put into words.
Considering India had exceptional test cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sunil Gavaskar, what is it about this man that his test exit is feeling like an irreplaceable void?
Virat Kohli is the most successful Indian Test captain and holds the record for most victories, with 40 wins in total.
His captaincy at home soil was exceptional, which showed everyone how dominant the Indian team can be, winning 24 out of 31 matches.
Kohli's presence in Tests was unique. He inspired millions of fans to watch the format, who were drawn by his presence and performance.
He fundamentally reshaped the Test landscape for India by proving the entire world that this country is equally good in Test just like other formats.
Kohli's on-field intensity made every moment iconic for the teammates and fans to watch.
He holds the record for scoring the most double centuries as an Indian batter, with 7 double centuries in his career.
Kohli's hunger for doing better and delivering crucial knocks and centuries for the team has drawn so many non-cricket fans to watch this format.
Fans felt a strong emotional connection to his journey, following the highs and lows, and his commitment to winning for India.
What could Kohli's absence mean for the Test in India?
A kid holding a banner in a crowd during a match of the Indian cricket team. Image | Hindustan Times
Virat Kohli's role in this format has been significant, on and off the ground. The reaction of fans after his retirement news made it clear how he has defined an entire generation's perception of the format.
Social media is flooded with posts and comments like "End of an Era," "Test cricket won't be the same without the King," "Grew up watching him fire in tests, a part of our childhood is gone today," and many others.
While some people are recalling those "memories and battles," some are acknowledging "the irreplaceable void and future of test cricket for India."
The kind of reaction and energy from the fandom makes it obvious to speculate how challenging it can be to keep the same level of interest in tests now. It makes it even questionable as the former captain, Rohit Sharma, has also decided to retire from Test cricket, days before Kohli's retirement.
The whole nation will definitely miss Ro-Ko in tests. But will it affect their interest in this format?
It will be a vital thing to keep an eye on in the future.
Cricket, a sport loved by millions around the world, has witnessed the rise of several legendary players. In the modern era, four exceptional batsmen have stood out with their consistent brilliance, earning them the title of the “Fab Four players.” Their performances are often compared under the widely discussed Fab four Stats.
Virat Kohli recently announced his retirement from Test cricket earlier today (May 12) with a post on his official Instagram handle. He ended his 14-year illustrious career in the format.
In this article, we will take a closer look at their remarkable careers, comparing their updated statistics and achievements to understand what makes them the finest batsmen of the modern era in Test cricket.
So, let's take a look at the statistics of the Fav Four in Test cricket.
Fav four in Test cricket | Kohli vs Root vs Williamson vs Smith
Test cricket, often considered the ultimate test of a player’s skill and temperament, has seen these four players shine brightly. Here’s how they stack up in the longest format.
Virat Kohli's peak in Test cricket arrived well before the likes of Joe Root and Kane Williamson. Steve Smith matched him toe to toe during that period, but the 12-month ban due to the sandpaper gate overshadowed his brilliance in the format.
However, when we compare the numbers of Fab four in 2025, Kohli has fallen way behind his contemporaries. Root is at the peak of his powers in Test cricket in the last five years while Williamson has never really been out of form in the whites.
Smith has been on and off over the last couple of years, but his form has never been a concern for Australia in Tests. When it comes to runs, averages and centuries, Kohli ranks last among Fab four and a lot of it has to do with his downfall in the format since November 2019.
Fav four in Test cricket | How Kohli finished in Tests compared to Fab four
It is certain that Virat Kohli, who was once untouchable in the debate of Fab Four, will remain at the bottom forever when compared to his contemporaries. Only if his form hadn't dropped after November 2019, the 36-year-old, today, has stepped down from the format with some unreal numbers.