"He can hit 100 centuries" - Aakash Chopra's massive claim after Virat Kohli's hundred in IND vs SA 2025 2nd ODI

Former India player Aakash Chopra has lauded Virat Kohli for scoring successive centuries in the first two ODIs against South Africa. He opined that the modern batting great could reach the 100-century mark across formats.

Kohli scored 102 runs off 93 deliveries as India set South Africa a 359-run target in the second ODI in Raipur on Wednesday, December 3. However, his knock went in vain as the Proteas achieved the target with four wickets and as many deliveries to spare to draw level in the three-match series.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, 'Aakash Chopra,' the former India opener claimed that Kohli could match Sachin Tendulkar's record of 100 international centuries.

"Virat Kohli has struck back-to-back centuries. He is the emperor of centuries. He has been absolutely outstanding. Now it seems like in the matches left, including the ones in the 2027 World Cup, he can hit 100 centuries because he is only 18 (16) centuries away and nearly 40 games are left," he said.

Chopra added that Kohli's approach was slightly different from the six-hitting aggression he showed in the first ODI in Ranchi.

"He batted in a slightly different gear this time. It was vintage and trademark, but he played with a different game plan this time. It wasn't like the seven-six aggression that was seen in Ranchi. It was slightly measured, but effective," he observed.

Virat Kohli struck seven fours and two sixes during his 102-run knock. He was eventually caught by Aiden Markram at long-on while attempting a big shot off Lungi Ngidi's bowling.

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"More than Virat Kohli's century, I was happy with Ruturaj Gaikwad's century" - Aakash Chopra

Ruturaj Gaikwad scored his maiden ODI century. [P/C: BCCI/X]

In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that Ruturaj Gaikwad's century delighted him more than Virat Kohli's hundred.

"More than Virat Kohli's century, I was happy with Ruturaj Gaikwad's century. We had discussed that he should be given a chance properly. You are playing him at No. 4. It's the vice-captain's place. He said, 'Leave the vice-captain, I have scored a hundred,'" he reasoned.

While observing that Gaikwad dominated his partnership with Kohli, the cricketer-turned-commentator wondered how the Maharashtra batter would get a place in the XI once Shreyas Iyer returns.

"He was the aggressor in the partnership. He was playing as the dominant partner. Scoring a century was extremely important for him, and he scored a century which warms everyone's hearts. However, the big question will be about Ruturaj Gaikwad's immediate future once Shreyas Iyer becomes available, but that's beyond his control," Chopra observed.

Ruturaj Gaikwad scored 105 runs off 83 deliveries with the help of 12 fours and two sixes. He added 195 runs for the third wicket with Virat Kohli before pulling a Marco Jansen delivery to Tony de Zorzi at deep square leg.