• Virat Kohli hits 49th ODI century, equals Sachin Tendulkar's record for most hundreds in one-day internationals

    Sports
    Virat Kohli hits 49th ODI century, equals Sachin Tendulkar's record for most hundreds in one-day internationals

    After Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma, Kohli became the third Indian player to surpass 500 runs in a single World Cup edition during his innings on Sunday.

    Digital Desk: Virat Kohli scored his 49th century on his birthday and equaled Sachin Tendulkar's record for most hundreds in one-day internationals in Sunday's India vs. South Africa 8th World Cup match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

    After weeks of anticipation, 35-year-old Virat Kohli achieved the record-equaling ODI century. After Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma, Kohli became the third Indian player to surpass 500 runs in a single World Cup edition during his innings on Sunday.




     
    Kohli has been in incredible form thus far in the tournament. In India's opening game, Kohli opened with a graceful 85 against Australia, and he followed that up with his 48th century against Bangladesh. After that, he came near on two occasions, but on November 2, at the Wankhede Stadium, he was dismissed for 95 against New Zealand and then was dismissed for 88 against Sri Lanka.

    In just his 289th ODI, Virat Kohli reached his 49th century, whereas Tendulkar achieved his 49th century in his penultimate ODI—the 462nd of his career. That marked Tendulkar's 100th international century as well, a record that is unlikely to be surpassed barring Kohli's ability to maintain his scorching form for a couple more years.

    August 2008 was Virat Kohli's One-Day International (ODI) debut; in December 2009, he scored his first-ever ODI century against the same team.

    In an incredible career that peaked fifteen years ago, Virat Kohli amassed ten hundreds against Sri Lanka, nine hundreds against the West Indies, eight hundreds against Australia, five hundreds against each of Bangladesh, New Zealand, and South Africa, and three hundreds against Pakistan and England. and one against Zimbabwe.

    In an ironic turn of events, Sachin Tendulkar's last one-day international match took place in Mirpur, where Virat Kohli achieved his highest individual score of 183 against Pakistan. India chased down 330, as the two had a 133-run partnership.
    Virat Kohli's form was going to be key for India in the World Cup and the run-machine has not let the team down.