Centuries are often said to be a key indicator of a batsman’s class, aura and authority. In so many ways, do the three figures go on to dictate the eventual success garnered by a batsman. The most legendary batsmen around and of the past will have a primary aspect in common, and that is of having an ocean of three figure scores in their account.

With his swashbuckling knock of 131 in the fourth ODI against Sri Lanka, which came of just a mere 96 deliveries, India’s batting heartthrob and skipper Virat Kohli got himself etched in yet another legendary batting list.

Kohli now has scored five international centuries in a calendar year in five different years, or on five occasions. It includes him in an all-time batting great list, among the batsmen who have scored five or more international centuries in a year on most occasions. Former Indian batting great and the Little Master, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, heads this list, as he has scored five or more international tons in a year on 11 occasions.

Kohli after his record breaking century on Thursday was full of smiles, as it gave his side a 4-0 lead in the five-match series, with one match left. The Indian captain spoke about his wish to bat first and pile up a massive score in the game.

“It was one of the good games for us. We spoke about not getting complacent at any stage and today was a clinical performance. Today was about doing things the way we wanted to do, and I think it is a very satisfying day. We wanted to bat first because we didn’t get the chance to bat first in the first three games and the way the ball came onto the bat initially proved that the wicket was amazing to bat on,” said Kohli.

Batsmen with five or more international centuries in a calendar year on most occasions: