05 November,2023 05:46 PM IST | Kolkata | mid-day online correspondent
Virat Kohli (Pic: AFP)
Continuing his rich vein of form, talismanic Virat Kohli smoked a 49th ODI century during India's ICC World Cup 2023 league stage match against South Africa. The former captain, who celebrates his 35th birthday on Sunday, equalled fellow India great Sachin Tendulkar's most ODI centuries in the process.
The former India skipper has scripted countless records in the sport across formats and continues to do so, including in the the ongoing World Cup.
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Kohli's feats include scoring the most runs in international cricket among contemporary players. In this World Cup, he has scored the most runs for India -- 535 in eight innings at an average of 88.40, including a century and four half-centuries. His highest score in this tournament was an unbeaten 103 against Bangladesh.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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