Virat Kohli Joins Global Icons: Chasing 100 Centuries Highlighted at AO 2026
Virat Kohli featured in an Australian Open 2026 broadcast graphic with Djokovic, Messi, Ronaldo & Hamilton, chasing 100 international centuries.
Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli received rare cross-sport recognition during live coverage of the Australian Open 2026, as broadcasters highlighted his pursuit of a historic milestone alongside some of the greatest athletes in world sport. The moment unfolded during a match at Melbourne Park, instantly catching the attention of Indian fans watching the Grand Slam tournament.
During the broadcast, a graphic titled “Chasing The Golden Throne: Legends Across Sports” was displayed, featuring Kohli among an elite list of global sporting superstars. The visual underscored Kohli’s ongoing chase of 100 international centuries, a feat achieved only once before by former India captain Sachin Tendulkar in 2012.
The graphic showed Kohli as being 15 centuries short of the landmark, reinforcing both the scale of the achievement and the significance of his current form. Tendulkar’s name appeared alongside Kohli’s, serving as a reminder of the benchmark that has defined cricketing excellence for over a decade.
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What made the moment particularly striking was Kohli’s placement alongside legends from other sports, including tennis great Novak Djokovic, football icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, and seven-time Formula One world champion, Lewis Hamilton. Cricket’s inclusion in a tennis Grand Slam broadcast is rare, making the recognition a notable nod to Kohli’s global stature beyond the boundaries of his sport.
Social media users were quick to share screenshots of the broadcast graphic, praising the Australian Open for acknowledging Kohli’s impact on world sport. Many fans described the moment as a reflection of how Kohli’s legacy now transcends cricket, placing him firmly among the most recognisable athletes of the modern era.
Meanwhile, Kohli continues to impress on the field. The 37-year-old has been in outstanding form in One Day Internationals, scoring three centuries and a knock of 93 in his last seven appearances for India. His recent surge has reignited discussions around the possibility of surpassing Tendulkar’s record—an achievement that once seemed distant but now appears increasingly within reach.
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