In a breathtaking display of skill and determination, Virat Kohli, the former captain of the Indian cricket team, etched his name in the annals of cricket history by surpassing the iconic Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the highest number of centuries in One Day International (ODI) cricket. This momentous feat occurred during the Cricket World Cup 2023 semifinal at the illustrious Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Kohli’s 50th ODI century was a masterclass, delivered against a New Zealand bowling attack that found itself helpless in the face of his prowess. Exhibiting remarkable form, Kohli reached this historic milestone in just 106 balls, propelled by an impressive array of 8 fours and a well-timed six. Prior to this match, Kohli was in a tie with Tendulkar at 49 centuries, and his near-flawless innings not only broke the deadlock but also solidified his status as a cricket legend.
The Cricket World Cup 2023 has witnessed Kohli’s dominance, with this being his eighth fifty-plus score in the tournament a remarkable achievement that stands as the highest in a single edition of the competition.
Most 50-plus Scores In a World Cup Edition
– 8 – Virat Kohli (2023)
– 7 – Sachin Tendulkar (2003)
– 7 – Shakib Al Hasan (2019)
– 6 – Rohit Sharma (2019)
– 6 – David Warner (2019)
But the narrative didn’t end there. Kohli, in his pursuit of greatness, also seized another World Cup record previously held by Tendulkar. He now stands as the batter with the most runs in a single edition of the Cricket World Cup:
Most Runs In A Single World Cup Edition
– 674* – Virat Kohli (2023)
– 673 – Sachin Tendulkar (2003)
– 659 – Matthew Hayden (2007)
– 648 – Rohit Sharma (2019)
– 647 – David Warner (2019)
The toss, won by Rohit Sharma, set the stage for an intense battle against New Zealand, who chose to bowl. Notably, three out of the four previous tournament games at the Wankhede were won by the team batting first, making Sharma’s decision a strategic one.
As both unbeaten tournament hosts India and New Zealand maintained unchanged lineups, the stage was set for a clash of titans in a match that would be remembered as a defining moment in the Cricket World Cup 2023.