Virat Kohli created new ODI history during the first Semi-final at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023. His century was his 50th ODI hundred as the right-handed batter became the first cricketer to hit 50 ODI centuries.
India faced New Zealand in the first Semi-final at the CWC 2023. After the Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bat first, all the top Indian batters dominated.
Former Indian captain Virat Kohli came to bat in the ninth over of the match after the skipper and opener Rohit Sharma was out after providing a strong start.
Virat Kohli became the first cricketer to record 50 ODI hundreds
Kohli had smooth partnerships with the opener Shubman Gill and then with the no.4 batter Shreyas Iyer.
Before Gill was retired hurt on 79 off 65 balls, Kohli and Gill had a 93-run partnership. Later, Kohli set up another 163-run partnership with another in-form batter Iyer, who also hit his century at the late of the innings.
During that another big knock, Kohli first completed his 50 runs in 59 balls before he recorded his 50th ODI century in 106 balls.
With that century, Kohli surpassed legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar in the list of most ODI centuries. While Tendulkar scored 49 ODI hundreds, Kohli has now recorded 50 ODI centuries.
After scoring 117 runs in 113 balls with the help of nine fours and two sixes, Kohli was caught out at deep square leg. His batting had a crucial role in India’s incredible total of 397/4 in 50 overs.
Meanwhile, it was Kohli's 80th international century. Only legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has more international hundreds than Kohli as Tendulkar recorded 100 international centuries.
Most ODI centuries
Player (Team) | Number of centuries |
Virat Kohli (India) | 50 |
Sachin Tendulkar (India) | 49 |
Rohit Sharma (India) | 31 |
Ricky Ponting (Australia/ICC World XI) | 30 |
Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka/Asia XI) | 28 |
(Updated as of November 15, 2023)
Also Read | Best ODI knocks by Virat Kohli
