Virat Kohli is experiencing a remarkable purple patch in ODI cricket. Following an impressive domestic cricket comeback in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and stellar performances in recent series against South Africa and Australia, the former Indian captain is now on the verge of creating history.
After scoring 93 runs in the first ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara, Kohli has achieved five consecutive 50-plus scores and can become the first Indian cricketer to register six consecutive ODI half-centuries in the second ODI at Rajkot.
Six Back-to-Back 50+ Scores in One Season
Throughout his illustrious ODI career, Virat Kohli has never achieved six consecutive 50-plus scores in the format. He has come tantalizingly close on multiple occasions, but the streak has always ended at five consecutive scores. Here’s a detailed look at his previous attempts:
| Year | Consecutive 50+ Scores | Next Innings Score | Venue/Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 133*, 108, 66, 183, 106 | 1 run | Streak broken at 5 |
| 2013 | 68*, 61, 100*, 68, 115* | 0 run | Streak broken at 5 |
| 2019 | 82, 77, 67, 72, 66 | 26 runs | Streak broken at 5 |
| 2023 | 88, 101*, 51, 117, 54 | 24 runs | Streak broken at 5 |
| 2025/26 | 74*, 135, 102, 65*, 93 | Upcoming | Currently active |
Kohli’s Recent Form
Virat Kohli’s recent performances have silenced all critics who questioned his commitment and form. His journey back to dominance began with domestic cricket participation and continued through multiple international series.
Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26
After a 15-year gap, Kohli returned to domestic cricket for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. In his comeback match against Andhra on December 24, he scored a scintillating 131 runs off 101 deliveries, featuring 14 fours and 3 sixes. He followed this up with 77 runs against Gujarat on December 26, showcasing his hunger to perform at every level.
ODI Series vs South Africa (November-December 2025)
Kohli’s transformation was most evident during the South Africa series, where he amassed a staggering 302 runs from three matches at an extraordinary average of 151. His scores included:
- 135 off 120 balls in Ranchi
- 102 off 93 balls in Raipur
- 65* off 45 balls in Visakhapatnam
He was named Player of the Series, and his aggressive approach featuring 24 fours and 12 sixes was particularly noteworthy. Kohli himself admitted he hadn’t played at this level for two to three years and felt truly liberated in his approach.
ODI Series vs Australia (October-November 2025)
During Australia’s home series, Kohli continued his resurgence with a composed 74* in the third ODI, helping him maintain his exceptional form heading into the South Africa series.
First ODI vs New Zealand (January 11, 2026)
In the series opener at Vadodara, Kohli played a masterful innings of 93 off 91 balls, featuring 8 fours and 1 six. Though he fell seven runs short of his 54th ODI century, his knock was instrumental in India’s four-wicket victory. During this innings, Kohli also became the second-highest run-scorer in international cricket history (28,068 runs), surpassing Kumar Sangakkara, and the fastest to reach 28,000 international runs in just 624 innings.
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The Upcoming Opportunity
With five consecutive 50-plus scores already under his belt (74*, 135, 102, 65*, 93), Virat Kohli will step onto the field in Rajkot for the second ODI with history beckoning. If he scores 50 or more runs, he will become the first Indian batsman to achieve six consecutive half-centuries in ODI cricket, a record that has eluded him four times before.
At 37 years of age and playing only the ODI format for India, Kohli is proving that experience combined with renewed passion can produce extraordinary results. His recent form, characterized by aggressive intent and the ability to score boundaries at will, suggests that this might finally be the moment he breaks this personal barrier and etches his name in yet another record book.
