For the most of his international cricket career, Virat Kohli and breaking cricket records have been closely associated. He has been a step above the other players, particularly in terms of his batting records on Australian soil. The greatest player to ever grace cricket, Sir Donald Bradman, has a longstanding record that he is about to surpass.
Cricket fans are not surprised to see and read that Bradman has the majority of the game’s most recognisable records. The record for the most international centuries scored away from home is one example. Notably, the “Don” of cricket in England apparently hit hundreds for fun between 1930 and 1948. The renowned Australian went on to score 11 hundreds in his 19 matches on English soil.
However, as intriguing as it may sound, one of the contemporary greats, Virat Kohli, is about to tie Sir Don’s record—albeit in his home city of Adelaide. With ten hundreds to his credit in the Kangaroo nation, Kohli would tie Bradman for the most centuries scored in international cricket on a foreign soil if he can duplicate his batting prowess in Perth.
For those who don’t know, Australia will host India in the second Test of the current Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024–25) following their crushing defeat in Perth. However, in Bradman’s hometown, the game will be played with a pink ball rather than the customary “red cherry.” Adelaide will host the game on December 6.
In relation to Virat Kohli’s credentials in Australia, the star Indian batsman has made 43 appearances for Team India and amassed 2,710 runs thus far. The Delhi-based batsman amassed an outstanding average of 54.20 during these matches, and he scored his highest score in Oz country with a stunning 169 runs at the storied Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Notably, this knock occurred in December 2014.
Notable cricket players have some incredible records when it comes to hitting hundreds of runs away from home, in addition to the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) and contemporary greats. This elite group of batters also includes legendary players like Sir Vivian Richards, the West Indian great, and India’s pride Sachin Tendulkar, also known as the Master Blaster. In addition, the great Sunil Gavaskar and Jack Hobbs of England have long relished batting in their habitat against international opponents.
Hobbs got nine centuries, but in Australia, whilst Sachin Tendulkar had nine hundreds versus Sri Lanka. Apart from these, Richards played in 39 games for the West Indies and scored eight hundreds against England. Sunil Gavaskar, who relished torturing the West Indies bowlers and had seven hundreds to his name in the Caribbean islands, was after him.
With a spectacular century in Perth, Virat Kohli puts an end to his slump.
Speaking of the current Australia tour, Virat Kohli has returned to his batting form after recently struggling to make significant runs at home against New Zealand. Nevertheless, he delivered a crucial unbroken 100* from 143 deliveries in Perth, continuing his passion for hitting hundreds in Australia.
This ultimately helped India win the BGT 2024–25 series by a commanding 295 runs, securing their spot in the next World Test Championship (WTC) final. For both sides, however, it stays rigid. But after Adelaide, there will be three more Test matches, giving Virat Kohli plenty of chances to make Australian history.