In a spectacular display of skill and resilience, Indian cricketing maestro Virat Kohli celebrated his 35th birthday by equalling Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 ODI centuries. This historic moment unfolded in India’s World Cup 2023 match against South Africa at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, and it marked a remarkable day for Kohli and Indian cricket.
Kohli’s brilliant innings of 101 not out off 121 balls served as the cornerstone of India’s imposing total of 326 for five. The batting maestro carried his bat through the innings, showcasing his unwavering determination and unwavering commitment to the team’s cause. His century came in challenging conditions, with the South African spinners Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi presenting a formidable challenge. Kohli displayed exceptional patience and adaptability as he navigated the tricky middle overs.
The moment of history arrived when Kohli punched a single in the penultimate over, drawing level with Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 ODI centuries. The crowd at Eden Gardens erupted in joy, making it a memorable birthday celebration for the Indian skipper. Kohli’s post-match statements reflected his gratitude for the opportunity to play for India, especially on his birthday, and his appreciation of the fans’ unwavering support.
Kohli’s century was pivotal, but the foundation for India’s imposing total was laid by the explosive Rohit Sharma. Opening the innings, Rohit Sharma blazed his way to a quickfire 40 off just 24 balls, providing a solid start. The skipper’s aggressive approach in the powerplay was complemented by a solid partnership with Shubman Gill, setting the tone for India’s innings.
Kohli’s partnership with Shreyas Iyer was equally crucial. Iyer’s gritty innings of 77 runs off 87 balls, following a slow start, enabled Kohli to bat deep into the innings. With the absence of Hardik Pandya, who was sidelined due to injury, Kohli took calculated risks, while Suryakumar Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja contributed to ensure India surpassed the 300-run mark.
Michael Vaughan hails Indian bowling attack
India’s bowling contingent, led by Ravindra Jadeja’s career-best figures of 5/33, dismantled South Africa’s batting lineup. South Africa struggled to cope with the pressure and lost wickets regularly. Jadeja’s brilliant spell was complemented by Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav, further cementing India’s dominance.
Michael Vaughan tweeted about the dominance of Indian fast bowler in the tournament. He said that if one bowler fails, the other bowlers do their job of taking the wickets. He wrote, “So if Bumrah doesn’t get you Siraj will .. If Siraj doesn’t get you Shami will .. If Shami doesn’t get you Jadeja will & If Jadeja doesn’t get you Kuldeep will ..
So if Bumrah doesn’t get you Siraj will .. If Siraj doesn’t get you Shami will .. If Shami doesn’t get you Jadeja will & If Jadeja doesn’t get you Kuldeep will .. #India #CWC2023 @clubprairiefire
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 5, 2023
This resounding victory marked India’s eighth consecutive win in the World Cup, making them the first team to secure a spot in the semi-finals. Kohli’s record-equalling century and the team’s overall performance were a testament to their status as one of the tournament favorites.
As the World Cup 2023 continues, cricket fans eagerly anticipate more remarkable moments and thrilling encounters on the road to World Cup glory, with Virat Kohli’s heroics and record-equalling century standing as one of the tournament’s highlights.
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