Virat Kohli's Defiant Century Against New Zealand Marks 10th Ton Across All Formats

Virat Kohli once again demonstrated his class and resilience, anchoring India’s chase in the third ODI against New Zealand with a magnificent 124 off 108 balls. Although the effort ultimately went in vain as India fell short of the 338-run target, Kohli’s innings was a masterclass in pressure batting and marked a significant personal milestone.

The century was Kohli's seventh against New Zealand in the ODI format, and his tenth across all international formats against the Black Caps, achieved in just 73 innings. This defiant knock kept India in the contest for a prolonged period despite an early top-order collapse. Kohli’s ability to build crucial partnerships, including a vital stand with young Harshit Rana, underscored his enduring value to the Indian batting lineup.

This performance further solidifies Kohli's standing as one of the most prolific run-scorers in the game. While the series ended in a historic defeat for India, the Royal Challengers Bangalore star's form remains a massive positive for Indian cricket as attention shifts toward the upcoming T20 World Cup preparations and the IPL season.