05/11/2023
Virat Kohli has equaled Sachin Tendulkar by scoring his 49th ODI century on his 35th birthday. Sachin Tendulkar had scored 49 ODI centuries in 451 innings, Virat Kohli achieved this record in just 277 innings. After scoring another century, Virat Kohli will become the batsman who has scored the most ODI centuries. Against South Africa, Virat remained unbeaten after scoring 101 runs in 121 balls with the help of 10 fours. India scored 326 runs at the loss of 5 wickets. Playing first after winning the toss, India got the first blow at 62 in 5.5 overs, when Rohit Sharma returned to the pavilion after scoring 40 runs in 24 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes. Now birthday boy Virat Kohli had come on the field. Virat Kohli gave a return gift to his fans by opening his account with a cover drive on his birthday. Kagiso Rabada bowled the third ball of the eighth over of a fuller length outside the off stump. Virat took his foot forward, came on the top of the bounce and hit a four towards the covers. The moment the ball and bat came in contact, it seemed as if God accepted our every prayer. The Perfect Cover Drive.
Marco Jansen's fifth ball of the ninth over was a length ball on Virat's pads, Virat came in line with the ball and flicked it towards square leg and got a four. Kagiso Rabada brought the last over of the powerplay for the Proteas. Rabada's second ball of the tenth over was full length outside off. Virat saw the width, drove it with full force into the gap between covers and mid-off. The ball easily crossed the boundary line for 4 runs. The third ball was pitched up. Virat Kohli played on drive with full face of the bat. The ball went between the legs of non-striker Shubman Gill and crossed the boundary line for 4 runs. The mid on fielder had no chance.
Lungi Ngidi's third ball of the 18th over was short and wide outside off. Virat tried to cut but the ball hit the bottom of the bat and crossed the boundary line for 4 runs. Virat Kohli completed his 71st ODI half-century on the second ball of Keshav Maharaj's 29th over. Virat scored a fifty by playing the tossed up ball in the direction of long off. The fourth ball of Aiden Markram's 34th over was a short delivery on the off stump. Virat Kohli stepped back and played a brilliant pull shot towards square leg and hit a four. Virat played this shot between deep midwicket and long leg fielder.
Virat Kohli came down the track on the first ball of Lungi Ngidi's 35th over. Used his wrists and hit a four towards midwicket. After this shot, Eden Garden erupted with applause. Virat showed that he can dominate any bowler at any time. Kagiso Rabada's first ball of the 38th over was down leg. Virat easily beat the short fine leg fielder and hit a four. Marco Jansen bowled the first ball of the 45th over with a fuller length delivery. Virat used his wrists and got a four over midwicket. On the fifth back of length delivery of Kagiso Rabada's 47th over, Virat hit a smashing four towards extra cover. Virat completed his century by taking a single on the third ball of Kagiso Rabada's 49th over.
Virat Kohli has equaled Sachin Tendulkar by scoring his 49th ODI century on his 35th birthday. Sachin Tendulkar had scored 49 ODI centuries in 451 innings, Virat Kohli achieved this record in just 277 innings. After scoring another century, Virat Kohli will become the batsman who has scored the most ODI centuries. Against South Africa, Virat remained unbeaten after scoring 101 runs in 121 balls with the help of 10 fours. India scored 326 runs at the loss of 5 wickets. Playing first after winning the toss, India got the first blow at 62 in 5.5 overs, when Rohit Sharma returned to the pavilion after scoring 40 runs in 24 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes. Now birthday boy Virat Kohli had come on the field. Virat Kohli gave a return gift to his fans by opening his account with a cover drive on his birthday. Kagiso Rabada bowled the third ball of the eighth over of a fuller length outside the off stump. Virat took his foot forward, came on the top of the bounce and hit a four towards the covers. The moment the ball and bat came in contact, it seemed as if God accepted our every prayer. The Perfect Cover Drive.
Marco Jansen's fifth ball of the ninth over was a length ball on Virat's pads, Virat came in line with the ball and flicked it towards square leg and got a four. Kagiso Rabada brought the last over of the powerplay for the Proteas. Rabada's second ball of the tenth over was full length outside off. Virat saw the width, drove it with full force into the gap between covers and mid-off. The ball easily crossed the boundary line for 4 runs. The third ball was pitched up. Virat Kohli played on drive with full face of the bat. The ball went between the legs of non-striker Shubman Gill and crossed the boundary line for 4 runs. The mid on fielder had no chance.
Lungi Ngidi's third ball of the 18th over was short and wide outside off. Virat tried to cut but the ball hit the bottom of the bat and crossed the boundary line for 4 runs. Virat Kohli completed his 71st ODI half-century on the second ball of Keshav Maharaj's 29th over. Virat scored a fifty by playing the tossed up ball in the direction of long off. The fourth ball of Aiden Markram's 34th over was a short delivery on the off stump. Virat Kohli stepped back towards square leg.
