Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and KL Rahul - (Source: AFP)
In the 2nd ODI between India and New Zealand at the Saurashtra stadium in Rajkot, KL Rahul rose to the occasion and slammed his eighth ODI hundred. Notably, India, which won the first game comfortably, got off to a brilliant start in the ongoing match, but Kristian Clarke’s magic reduced the hosts to 118/4 at one point in the match.
KL Rahul took the onus on his shoulders and slammed an unbeaten 112 (92), which featured 11 fours and a solitary six. Further, KL has also slammed the first century for the Men in Blue in 2026. It is the second time in KL Rahul’s career since 2015 that the right-handed batter has slammed the first century of the year for Team India.
The fans are curious whether Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have also scripted a similar feat, and which Indian has scored most first tons in a year.
How many times has Virat Kohli slammed the first century of the year?
Notably, Virat Kohli has slammed the first century of the year five times in his career. The first time Kohli achieved this feat in his career was in 2012. Notably, Virat slammed the first ton of the year for three straight years from 2012 to 2014.
Further, Kohli also achieved the same feat in 2017 and 2018 as well. Therefore, in total, Virat has slammed the first ton of the year five times.
How many times has Rohit Sharma slammed the first century of the year?
Rohit Sharma, on the other hand, slammed the first ton of the year in 2016. The hitman recreated the feat in 2020 and 2021. His latest came in 2024. Overall, Rohit has slammed the first century of the year on four occasions - 2016, 2020, 2021, 2024.
Let’s look at Indian cricketers with first centuries of the year
- 2026 - KL 𝗥𝗮𝗵𝘂𝗹*
- 2025 - Abhishek Sharma
- 2024 - Rohit Sharma
- 2023 - Suryakumar Yadav
- 2022 - Rishabh Pant
- 2021 - Rohit Sharma
- 2020 - Rohit Sharma
- 2019 - Cheteshwar Pujara
- 2018 - Virat Kohli
- 2017 - Virat Kohli
- 2016 - Rohit Sharma
- 2015 - KL Rahul
- 2014 - Virat Kohli
- 2013 - Virat Kohli
- 2012 - Virat Kohli
- 2011 - Sachin Tendulkar
- 2010 - MS Dhoni
Virat Kohli misses chance to slam 1st century of 2026 for India
Notably, Virat Kohli had a great opportunity to slam the first century of the year for India but missed out on the milestone by just seven runs. In the first ODI between India and New Zealand in Vadodara, Kohli scored 93 and threw his wicket away. Otherwise, the chase master could have added another feather to his illustrious cap.
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