Umeedain Hope of Life
During the World Cup semi-final against New Zealand in Mumbai, Virat Kohli achieved two significant milestones previously held by Sachin Tendulkar.
He became the first player to reach 50 ODI centuries, surpassing Tendulkar’s record of 49. Additionally, Kohli broke Tendulkar’s long-standing record for the most runs in a single edition of the ODI World Cup.
Tendulkar had set the previous record with 673 runs in the 2003 World Cup. Kohli surpassed this total when he reached his 80th run in the semi-final, ultimately becoming the first batter to amass 700 runs in an ODI World Cup. By the time Kohli was dismissed for 117 off 113 balls, he had accumulated 711 runs in the tournament, boasting an average of 101.57 and a strike rate of 90.68.
While Tendulkar achieved his 49th hundred in his 451st ODI innings, Kohli equaled this feat in just 277 innings during India’s penultimate league game of the World Cup against South Africa. He then went on to break the record in his 279th innings, reaching his 50th ODI century with a flick for two off Lockie Ferguson in the 42nd over of India’s innings.
Celebrating the milestone, Kohli leaped and punched the air after completing the second run. He then took off his helmet, raised his arms, and bowed towards the stands, where Tendulkar stood applauding the achievement.
This century marked Kohli’s third in the World Cup, accompanied by five half-centuries in ten matches. In the semi-final, he entered the bat in the ninth over with the score at 71 for 1, forming crucial partnerships of 93 off 86 balls with Shubman Gill and 163 off 128 balls with Shreyas Iyer. Kohli reached his half-century in 59 balls and added the next 50 runs in 53 deliveries, overcoming apparent cramps while in his 90s.
