Indian star cricketer Virat Kohli hit his 45th ODI century in the home ODI series opener against Sri Lanka, which guided the hosts to manage a comfortable victory.
The high-scoring venue Barsapara Cricket Stadium (Guwahati) hosted this three-match ODI series opener this Tuesday (10th January). After the Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka sent the hosts to bat first, India got a strong start and ultimately scored 373/7 in 50 overs.
Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill had a 143-run partnership for the first wicket. While Gill scored 70 off 60 balls (11 fours), skipper Rohit played the knock of 83 off 67 balls (nine fours and three sixes).
Virat Kohli – 45th ODI century and 73rd international century
Then, the no.3 batter Virat Kohli dominated the Sri Lankan bowlers. Though the right-handed batter had two lucks as the visitors dropped him twice, these can’t damage Kohli’s incredible batting performance, which led to his completing 45th ODI century as well as the 73rd international hundred. After completing that century in just 80 balls, Kohli stretched it to 113 runs off 87 balls (12 fours and only six) before Kasun Rajitha dismissed him in the 49th over.
Shreyas Iyer (28) and KL Rahul (39) also had some crucial contributions in that innings.
Some crucial stats of Virat Kohli’s century against Sri Lanka during the 2023 Guwahati ODI
(45th ODI century)
It was his 45th ODI century. Only the legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar (49 ODI centuries) has more ODI centuries than Kohli.
(73rd international century)
It was his 73rd international century. Only Sachin Tendulkar (100 international centuries) has more international centuries than Kohli.
(Most international centuries as a non-opener)
It was his 72nd international century as a non-opener. Kohli is the new record holder of scoring most international centuries as a non-opener after breaking Aussie legend Ricky Ponting’s 71 international centuries as a non-opener.
(Equals the record of most ODI centuries at home)
It was his 20th ODI century in India. Kohli equalled the record for most ODI centuries at home with Sachin Tendulkar’s 20 ODI centuries in India.
(Most ODI centuries vs Sri Lanka)
It was his ninth ODI century against Sri Lanka. Breaking legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar’s eight ODI centuries record, Kohli is the new record holder of scoring the most ODI centuries against Sri Lanka.
(1st to score 9 ODI centuries vs two different teams)
Kohli is now the only player to score nine ODI centuries against two different teams (vs West Indies and Sri Lanka).
(Joint most ODI centuries vs one team)
His ninth ODI century against Sri Lanka equals the record for most ODI centuries for a player against a team. While Sachin Tendulkar had nine ODI centuries against Australia, Kohli has also recorded nine ODI hundreds against West Indies.
Know more here on Sachin Tendulkar vs Virat Kohli Stats
Sri Lanka scored 308/8
In reply, Sri Lanka scored 308/8 (50 overs) as India won by 67 runs. While the brave captain Dasun Shanaka scored 108 not out in just 88 balls (12 fours and three sixes), opener Pathum Nissanka scored 72 off 80 balls (11 fours), and Dhananjaya de Silva played the knock of 47 off 40 balls (nine fours). However, they didn’t get other support as the visitors failed to end the game strongly enough.
Among the Indian bowlers, Umran Malik bagged three wickets (3/57), while Mohammed Siraj collected a couple of wickets (2/30).
Check here Best ODI knocks by Virat Kohli and Virat Kohli Net Worth
