NEW DELHI: Hours after India’s loss to New Zealand in the third ODI, star batsman Virat Kohli was spotted at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Monday as he departed for London.

Although India fell short of clinching the ODI series, Kohli emerged as the standout performer, producing a magnificent century that briefly lifted hopes in the Indian camp and added several milestones to his illustrious career.

The former India captain struck a superb 124 off 108 balls, laced with 10 boundaries and three sixes. The knock marked his 85th international hundred, keeping him firmly on course in the pursuit of Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time record of 100 international centuries. It was also Kohli’s 54th ODI century, further extending his own record in the format.

This was Kohli’s seventh ODI hundred against New Zealand in just 36 innings – the most by any batter against the Kiwis in one-day cricket. Across formats, he now has 10 centuries against New Zealand, including three in Tests, the highest tally by any batter against the Black Caps.

Kohli also surpassed Australian great Ricky Ponting to become the leading run-scorer in ODI cricket while batting at number three. Ponting had accumulated 12,655 runs at the position, while Kohli has now moved ahead with 12,676 runs from 244 matches and innings.

Virat Kohli etches his name in history with most centuries against New Zealand

He has dominated the slot with a staggering average of 61.53, registering 47 centuries and 67 half-centuries, with a career-best score of 183.

As for the match, New Zealand created history by sealing their maiden ODI series victory on Indian soil, defeating the hosts by 41 runs in the third and final ODI at Indore.

Batting first, the visitors piled up a formidable 337 for 8, powered by commanding centuries from Daryl Mitchell (137) and Glenn Phillips (106). India’s bowlers found little respite, though Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh claimed three wickets apiece.

In reply, India’s chase was largely driven by a sensational lone effort from Kohli. He also stitched together a valiant 99-run partnership with lower-order batter Harshit Rana, who impressed with his maiden ODI fifty. However, the resistance proved insufficient as New Zealand held their nerve to outclass the Men in Blue and script a landmark series triumph.