In a historic ICC World Cup semifinal match against New Zealand at Wankhede, Virat Kohli, India’s cricket maestro, achieved a monumental milestone by scoring his 50th hundred in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Kohli’s remarkable innings of 117 runs off 113 balls, featuring two sixes and nine fours, played a pivotal role in propelling India to a formidable score of 397/4 in 50 overs.
The 35-year-old right-hander reached his milestone century in a significant encounter, caught behind off Tim Southee, a familiar opponent from their Under-19 World Cup semifinal clash years ago. This feat not only showcased Kohli’s consistency but also set the stage for India to avenge their 2019 semifinal loss against the Kiwis.
In his 291st ODI appearance, Kohli boasts an impressive record with 71 half centuries and an average exceeding 58. His highest individual score of 183 against Pakistan in 2012 remains a standout performance, contributing to India’s successful chase of Pakistan’s target of 330/4.
Throughout the current ICC World Cup, Kohli’s bat has been on fire, scoring three centuries and five half centuries, accumulating a record-breaking total of 711 runs in 10 innings. Notably, he remained unbeaten on two occasions, guiding India to victories against Afghanistan and Bangladesh with a remarkable average of 117 with 90.68 strike rate in the series.
Virat Kohli’s ODI journey began at the age of 20 when he made his debut as an opener alongside Gautam Gambhir against Sri Lanka in Dambulla in 2008. Despite scoring only 12 runs off 22 balls in his debut, Kohli’s career has flourished, earning him the reputation of being one of the most successful batsmen in chasing any total.
Having represented India in three previous ICC World Cups, Kohli’s current appearance marks his fourth in the prestigious tournament. Given his enduring spirit and fitness, there are strong indications that Kohli, regarded as a legend, will continue to leave an indelible mark in the cricketing world, setting his sights on the 2027 ICC World Cup in South Africa.
