In a historic moment at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, India’s formidable batsman, Virat Kohli, etched his name in cricketing annals by surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most One Day International (ODI) centuries. Kohli achieved this milestone with his 50th ODI hundred during India’s semi-final clash against New Zealand in Mumbai.
The moment of glory arrived in the 42nd over, with Lockie Ferguson bowling, as Kohli exhibited his mastery with eight fours and one six en route to his three-figure mark. Notably, this marked Kohli’s inaugural century in the knockout stage of the Cricket World Cup, eclipsing Tendulkar’s record for the most runs in a single edition of the tournament.
Kohli’s batting brilliance has been a defining feature of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, where he secured his third century in the tournament. Earlier, he notched centuries against Bangladesh and South Africa, contributing significantly to India’s campaign. The ton against Bangladesh played a pivotal role in a successful chase in Pune, while his second century laid the foundation for a match-winning total against South Africa at Eden Gardens.
Embarking on his international journey in 2008, Kohli made his ODI debut, with his first ODI century against Sri Lanka in December 2009. This recent century marked Kohli’s fifth in the Cricket World Cup, with the first four contributing to India’s victories. His latest century, a commanding performance against New Zealand, propelled India to a formidable 397/4.
Throughout his current Cricket World Cup campaign, Kohli has demonstrated exceptional form, amassing 711 runs in 10 innings at an astonishing average of 101.57. This not only underscores his consistency but also cements his status as one of cricket’s premier batsmen.
In reflecting on his World Cup journey, Kohli’s initial century came against Bangladesh in Mirpur, followed by a memorable one against arch-rivals Pakistan in Adelaide. The remaining three centuries, showcasing his prowess in the 2023 edition, mark Kohli’s ongoing dominance on the world cricket stage.
