‘Nobody has understood the pulse of ODI batting like Kohli’- Fans and Experts react as Virat Kohli equals Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most ODI centuries
Virat Kohli, one of the greatest cricketers to have ever graced the game, turned 35 today. Kohli celebrated his special day in style as he notched up a magnificent century in the […]
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Nov 5, 2023 7:16 pm
Virat Kohli, one of the greatest cricketers to have ever graced the game, turned 35 today. Kohli celebrated his special day in style as he notched up a magnificent century in the ongoing World Cup game against South Africa, his 49th in ODIs. The much-awaited century propelled him alongside the illustrious Sachin Tendulkar for the most ODI centuries scored by any individual.
What makes Kohli’s ton even more special is that it came on a pitch that was far from easy to bat on. He arrived at the crease in the 6th over following the dismissal of Rohit Sharma and went on to remain unbeaten, ending with a score of 101 off 121 deliveries. His innings comprised ten boundaries, some of which were incredibly exquisite.
He shared a 134-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer and then a 36-run stand with Ravindra Jadeja to lift India to an above-par score of 326. He was the backbone of the innings, guiding the others and shaping the innings from one end. “The ball started gripping and turning after the 10th over and my role was to bat deep with the others playing around me. That was what was communicated to me from the team management”, he said while speaking to the official broadcaster at the end of the innings.
Virat Kohli smashed his 49th century against the Proteas.
Every opportunity to play for India is big one for me: Virat Kohli
Kohli was also asked about his feelings on scoring a century on his birthday and he described the emotion as “stuff of dreams”. “Every opportunity to play for India is big one for me. To be able to do that on my birthday, in front of the whole crowd, it’s stuff of dreams, something that as a child you wish had happened,” the veteran said.
Kohli’s sensible knock saw him break several records apart from the obvious one. He became the 7th batter to score an ODI hundred on his birthday and the 3rd to do it in a World Cup fixture. He also became the first batter to score 50 centuries in white-ball cricket.
Kohli’s ton elicited a wave of admiration from fans and pundits alike, who were left in awe of his exceptional achievement.
Here, we look at some of the reactions:
The sign of a great player. Converts great form into big scores. Kohli just understands situations. And owns them enough to give himself a birthday present
Nobody has understood the pulse of ODI batting like Kohli. Ton Machine Kohli has 49 to his name. What a way to celebrate his own birthday 🎁 Well played 👏 👏 #IndvSA#CWC23
Well played Virat. It took me 365 days to go from 49 to 50 earlier this year. I hope you go from 49 to 50 and break my record in the next few days. Congratulations!!#INDvSApic.twitter.com/PVe4iXfGFk
What a day to equal the great man's record of most ODI 100's. His birthday at the historic Eden Gardens. Take a bow, #ViratKohli . Congratulations on a great one, ragon mein 100, dil me Bharat pic.twitter.com/ZDQwvHDQQW
