On a Christmas Day that will be etched in the memories of the capacity crowd at the Wankhede Stadium, Virat Kohli delivered a masterclass that transcended the immediate context of the match. In a high-octane Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) quarter-final clash that saw nearly 700 runs scored, Kohli not only guided Delhi to a sensational victory over arch-rivals Mumbai but also eclipsed yet another monumental record held by the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.
The modern-day master, looking fitter and hungrier than ever at 37, peeled off a majestic 138 (off just 112 balls), marking his 61st century in List A cricket. This feat took him past Tendulkar’s long-standing record of 60 List A hundreds, establishing Kohli as the undisputed king of the 50-over format across both international and domestic levels.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the record-breaking day and the thriller at the Wankhede.
The stage was perfectly set. A knockout match, a batting paradise at the Wankhede, and a star-studded Mumbai lineup batting first.
Mumbai, riding on a blistering 145 from Yashasvi Jaiswal and a late cameo from Sarfaraz Khan, posted an intimidating total of 348/6 in their 50 overs. It was a target that required a monumental effort, a chase that demanded experience and aggression in equal measure.
Delhi started shakily, losing opener Priyansh Arya in the fourth over. The silence in the stadium was palpable as Virat Kohli walked out at number three, the weight of the massive run chase squarely on his shoulders.
Kohli’s innings was a study in pacing a high-pressure chase. He started cautiously, assessing the conditions and letting his partner, Yash Dhull, take the initial risks. He reached his fifty off 48 balls, a relatively sedate start by his standards in a 350-run chase.
But as the required rate climbed past eight, Kohli shifted gears. The wrists came into play against the spinners, and the trademark cover drives pierced the gaps with surgical precision.
The historic moment arrived in the 38th over of the chase. Facing Mumbai spinner Shams Mulani, Kohli stepped out and lofted the ball effortlessly over long-on for six. The stadium, despite being the home of Mumbai cricket, erupted in unified applause.
It was his century—his 61st in the List A format—surpassing the Little Master’s tally of 60. Kohli acknowledged the applause with a raised bat and a look toward the heavens, a signature gesture, before quickly refocusing on the daunting task still ahead.
Most Centuries in List A History (as of Dec 25, 2025):
Virat Kohli: 61
Sachin Tendulkar: 60
Kumar Sangakkara: 39
The record was broken, but the match was far from won. When Kohli eventually fell for 138 in the 46th over, caught at deep mid-wicket trying to accelerate further, Delhi still needed 32 runs off 24 balls with lower-order batters at the crease.
The game swung wildly. Mumbai pacers Tushar Deshpande and Mohit Avasthi bowled tight penultimate overs, bringing the equation down to 11 runs needed off the final over.
In a nerve-wracking finale, Delhi's young wicketkeeper-batter, Kumar Kushagra, held his nerve, striking a boundary on the penultimate ball to seal a four-wicket victory for Delhi in one of the greatest VHT matches ever played.
While the win was a team effort, the post-match chatter was dominated by Kohli’s genius and the falling of another Tendulkar bastion.
Virat Kohli (Player of the Match): "To be honest, the record wasn't on my mind when I went out to bat. 350 is a huge score, and my only focus was on building partnerships and taking the game deep. It's always an honor to be mentioned in the same breath as Sachin paaji, everything I've learned is from watching him. But today, I'm just happy Yash [Dhull] and I could set it up for the finishers. A win in a knockout game at the Wankhede is special."
Ajinkya Rahane (Mumbai Captain): "We thought 348 was enough. We bowled well in patches, but when Virat bats like that, there is very little you can do as a captain. He controlled the tempo perfectly. Congratulations to him on breaking the record; it’s incredible longevity and hunger."
At a stage in his career where many expected him to slow down, Virat Kohli’s 2025/26 domestic season has sent a clear message: his appetite for runs in the 50-over format remains unsated. By prioritizing the Vijay Hazare Trophy and delivering match-winning performances, he has not only reinforced the value of domestic cricket but has shown he remains India's premier ODI batter ahead of future ICC assignments.
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