New Delhi: Indian batting ace Virat Kohli etched his name in the history books when he slammed his 50th ODI ton and became the first-ever cricketer to have done so. It was the 2023 World Cup semifinal clash between India and New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 15 when Kohli helped India with his record-breaking performance, setting a mind-boggling total of 397/4, later securing the win by 70 runs and taking the team into the first ODI World Cup final since 2011.
The match was highlighted because Kohli went past Sachin Tendulkar with a record-breaking 50th One-Day International (ODI) century. Sachin, who has 49 ODI centuries to his credit, was in attendance as well. He witnessed his own record getting shattered by Kohli who considers Sachin his idol. While celebrating the feat on the field, Kohli bowed down to Sachin who was in the stands, clapping and acknowledging the respect given to him by the star batter.
VIRAT KOHLI WROTE HISTORY ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR:
The King smashed the 50th ODI century – becoming the first ever to reach there, that too in the World Cup Semi Finals. 🐐🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/IpkdzDZi74
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 14, 2024
This historic innings was preceded by a memorable innings earlier in the tournament where Kohli equalled Sachin’s record of 49 ODI centuries during a 243-run win over South Africa on his birthday (November 5) in Kolkata. He scored 117 runs off 113 balls with the help of nine fours and two sixes as the crowd went bonkers at the Wankhede cheering for the ace batter.
On This Day In 2023, Virat Kohli Scored His 50th Odi Century 🐐 pic.twitter.com/Ev2t7MoqAX
— Rahul 😼 (@ImRahulrai18) November 14, 2024
Kohli reflects on 50th ODI ton
After playing the flamboyant knock, Kohli described that particular moment as a “dream” come true and expressed his gratitude for hitting the milestone in front of his family and childhood hero Tendulkar. “It’s too good to be true, it’s surreal. If I could paint the perfect picture, I would want this to be the picture: my partner, the person I love the most, is sitting there, my hero is sitting there,” Kohli said after the match. The knock further cemented his legacy as one of the greatest icons of cricket.
Not to forget that India’s batting in the game was also buoyed by Shreyas Iyer who hit 105 off 70 balls laced with fours fours and eight sixes. Shubman Gill contributed with a well-hit 80 while skipper Rohit Sharma made 47. KL Rahul had remained unbeaten scoring 39 off 20. Rohit had given a brisk start while the partnership between Kohli and Gill set the foundation for an imposing total.
Virat Kohli took centerstage at the Wankhede Stadium on November 15, 2023, as he hit his 50th century in the ODIs and helped India beat New Zealand by 70 runs in the semifinal to reach the 2023 World Cup final. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
