Virat Kohli Targets Historic SENA Record in Crucial New Zealand ODI Series

Virat Kohli is on the verge of a unique personal milestone as India prepares for a five-match ODI series in New Zealand starting November 4. The 37-year-old batting icon needs just one Player of the Match award in New Zealand to become only the fourth Indian to win the accolade in all four SENA countries-South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia.

Kohli's New Zealand challenge for a rare SENA record

Kohli has won 45 Player of the Match awards in his 317-match ODI career, a tally bettered only by Sanath Jayasuriya (48) and Sachin Tendulkar (62). But New Zealand remains the lone SENA nation where he hasn't claimed the individual honor. Achieving this in the upcoming series would place him alongside Indian legends Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, and Kapil Dev. The series, beginning at Eden Park in Auckland, serves as vital preparation for the ICC ODI World Cup in South Africa next year.

Veteran duo's World Cup 2027 path gets strong backing

Former India chief selector Chetan Sharma has publicly endorsed Kohli and Rohit Sharma's continued presence in the ODI setup, dismissing age as a factor. Both players scored centuries in the recent ODI series against the West Indies, reinforcing their value. "Age is just a number. If you’re performing well, like both Virat and Rohit scored centuries. When you’re performing well, there’s nothing to overthink about it," Chetan told ANI. With both retired from T20Is and Tests, the 50-over format is now their sole international focus, and consistent performance is seen as the only metric that matters for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

A breakdown of Kohli's monumental century tally

Kohli's form is underpinned by staggering numbers. As of late September 2026, he has 86 international centuries, second only to Tendulkar's 100. His 54 ODI hundreds are already a world record. A breakdown of his centuries by opponent reveals his dominance against top teams.

His latest hundred came in the first ODI against West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram. Interestingly, he has not played a Test against Pakistan since 2007, which affects his overall tally against arch-rivals.

Mentor Rajkumar Sharma on nurturing Delhi's next generation

Away from the national spotlight, Kohli's childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma has taken on a mentor role with the Delhi cricket team for the 2026-27 season. His task is to identify and develop young talent across all age groups, from Under-16 to the senior Ranji Trophy side. Delhi hasn't won the Ranji Trophy in two decades, and Rajkumar expressed hope for a turnaround. "Every night is followed by a morning. So I am very hopeful that this time we will perform very well," he said in an exclusive interview. While his primary focus is on Delhi's future, his connection to Kohli shows a legacy of excellence he hopes to replicate.

• Key Takeaway: Virat Kohli can join Tendulkar, Rohit, and Kapil Dev by winning a Player of the Match award in New Zealand during the ODI series starting November 4, 2026.
• Key Takeaway: Former selector Chetan Sharma strongly supports Kohli and Rohit for the 2027 World Cup, stating performance, not age, is the only criterion.
• Key Takeaway: Kohli possesses 86 international centuries, with a record 54 in ODIs, and has scored the most hundreds (17) against Australia.
• Key Takeaway: Kohli's childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma, is now mentoring Delhi cricket, aiming to end the state's 20-year Ranji Trophy drought.