ICC World Cup 2023: Virat Kohli continues rich vein of form, notches up 71st ODI fifty

Virat Kohli (Pic: AFP)

Talismanic Virat Kohli added another feather to his already illustrious hat on Monday as he notched up his 71st ODI half-century during India's ICC World Cup 2023 league stage match against South Africa. The former captain, who celebrates his 35th birthday on Sunday, continued his rich vein of form to notch up a gritty half-century off 67 deliveries.

The dice was loaded in South Africa's favour as they enjoyed the first bite of the cherry in conditions tailor-made for high-scoring matches. The Temba Bavuma-led side made hay with two bumper strikes within the first 11 overs before Kohli and Shreyas Iyer dug in to steer India to safer shores.

Earlier, continuing with his high-risk game, Rohit Sharma gave India a flourishing start but the South Africans pegged the hosts back by removing the captain and his opening partner Shubhman Gill. Rohit hit a 24-ball 40 and shared a 62-run opening partnership with Shubman Gill (23) but the Proteas left them fighting at 105 for two after 15 overs.

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The flurry of shots from Rohit's bat saw India complete 50 runs in just 4.3 overs as the skipper smashed two sixes and six boundaries during his entertaining innings. However, Rohit could not build on the solid start with pacer Kagiso Rabada taking his wicket. Temba Bavuma hung on to a fast-travelling shot after Rohit could not get enough elevation to clear the fielder at mid-off. The Proteas skipper swooped to his right to take a great catch.

Gill followed suit, flummoxed by a superb delivery from spinner Keshav Maharaj in the 11th over, which landed just outside leg, turned slightly to beat the young batting sensation and clip the bails. For a moment Gill was in disbelief, not knowing if it was a stumping or he had been clean-bowled, However, TV referral showed the ball had indeed clipped the bails.