"When you pass the great Sachin Tendulkar, then you know where you stand" - Indian legend's huge claim on Virat Kohli after 1st IND vs SA 2025 ODI

Former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar hailed Virat Kohli, calling him the greatest of all-time in ODIs after the latter's 52nd century in the format in the series opener against South Africa in Ranchi on November 30. The 37-year-old scored a blistering 135 off 120 deliveries to help India post a mammoth 349/8 in their 50 overs.

Kohli extended his already-record number of ODI centuries to 52, having overtaken Sachin Tendulkar's previous record of 49 ODI centuries in the 2023 World Cup.

Talking about Kohli's incredible achievement in the 50-over format, Gavaskar said during on-air commentary (via Hindustan Times):

"Sachin has been absolutely right up there with 51 Hundreds. But when you pass the great Sachin Tendulkar, then you know where you stand. I don’t think there’s any doubt about that. I mean, it’s not just me, I think those who have played with him and against him, they all agree that he is the greatest in the one-day format. Look, you score 52 hundreds, that actually sets you up right up there in the stratosphere, so to speak."

Kohli boasts extraordinary ODI numbers with 14,390 runs in 306 matches at an average of over 58 and a strike rate of 93.41. His heroics helped India edge past the Proteas by 17 runs in the opening ODI to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.

"Just heard that Ricky Ponting said that he’s the best" - Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar referred to former Australian captain Ricky Ponting's recent remarks on Virat Kohli being the best ODI batter ever as further evidence of the ace Indian batter's stature in the 50-over format. Gavaskar believes such high praise coming from an Australian is no mean feat and should hold much weight in terms of where the veteran Indian batter stands in world cricket.

"I just heard that Ricky Ponting said that he’s the best that he’s seen in one-day cricket. So, I mean, when somebody, an Australian captain...they will agree that it is rare, very rare to get praise from an Australian. Very, very difficult. So, if an Australian says that, you know, he was the best, then I don’t think there is any argument for that," said Gavaskar (via the aforementioned source).

Kohli has already retired from the Test and T20I formats and remains active in only the 50-over format. He will be back in action when India look to seal a series win over South Africa in the second ODI in Raipur on Wednesday, December 3.