On a memorable Sunday in Kolkata, the Indian cricketing sensation and birthday boy, Virat Kohli, delivered a gift to cricket fans around the world that they will cherish for years to come. As he celebrated his 35th birthday, Kohli etched his name in the annals of cricket history by smashing his 49th ODI century, a monumental achievement that brought him on par with the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, often referred to as the “God of Cricket.”
The anticipation had been building, and it seemed like destiny itself had a role to play in this grand feat. The setting was the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, and the stage was set in Kolkata, where Kohli showcased his prowess against South Africa. In the 8th match of the World Cup, India won the toss and elected to bat. The spectators could hardly contain their excitement as the “King” took to the crease.
Kohli’s innings was a masterclass in itself, adorned with 10 glorious boundaries, and it powered India to a formidable total of 326 runs. This century was not just another milestone; it was a celebration of the Indian cricketing legacy and the tireless effort Kohli has put into his craft. His innings also came at a crucial juncture in the game, as India found themselves in a tricky situation, having lost both openers by the 11th over.
Partnering with Shreyas Iyer, Kohli took a measured approach before unleashing his full repertoire of strokes. The duo stitched together a magnificent 134-run partnership, with Iyer taking on the role of the aggressor once he passed the 30-40 run mark. Kohli, the epitome of patience and class, held one end up, guiding India to a position of strength.
In the lead-up to this monumental century, Kohli had tantalizingly flirted with equaling Sachin’s record in the past three matches. Scores of 85, 95, and 88 had left fans on the edge of their seats, waiting for that historic moment. But today, on his birthday, he delivered what the nation had yearned for, a century that equaled the God of Cricket’s record.
As Virat Kohli raised his bat to acknowledge the cheers and applause from the ecstatic crowd in Kolkata, it was a testament to his unwavering dedication, supreme skill, and the boundless love and passion he has for the game. The “King” had indeed equaled the “God,” etching his name alongside the legend Sachin Tendulkar as one of the greatest cricketers to have ever graced the sport. This century, on this particular Sunday, was not just about runs; it was about the enduring spirit of cricket and the undying legacy of Virat Kohli.
Kohli’s innings enabled other players to express themselves and fulfill their designated roles with precision. Iyer unleashed his aggressive strokes, and when he was dismissed, Suryakumar Yadav took on the role of the aggressor. This was followed by Ravindra Jadeja’s exceptional unbeaten 29 off just 15 balls, which propelled India’s total beyond 320. This allowed Kohli the luxury of taking his time to reach a well-deserved century.
Kohli joined an elite group of batsmen who have achieved the remarkable feat of scoring an ODI century on their birthday, becoming the seventh player to do so. Remarkably, he is only the third cricketer, after Ross Taylor and Mitchell Marsh, to achieve this on his birthday. With this century, Kohli now finds himself just one century away from becoming the first player in the history of the game to reach the extraordinary milestone of 50 ODI centuries. Even the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, known as the “Master Blaster,” whose record Kohli has matched, expressed his wish for this remarkable achievement to come to fruition in the near future.
History created 💯👑#CWC23 pic.twitter.com/6GfSKtFOUa
— ICC (@ICC) November 5, 2023
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Who Scored Most Centuries in ODI’s? |
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| Number of Centuries | Innings | Name of the Cricketer | Team |
| 49 | 277 | Virat Kohli | India |
| 49 | 452 | Sachin Tendulkar | India |
| 31 | 251 | Rohit Sharma | India |
| 30 | 365 | Ricky Pointing | Australia |
| 28 | 433 | Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka |