Virat Kohli celebrates his birthday with a milestone achievement – indiansupdate
Birthday celebrations take various forms, but for Virat Kohli, there’s no better way to mark the occasion than by doing what he excels at – scoring a century. In a memorable twist of fate, Kohli, on his 49th ODI ton, equaled the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most centuries in the 50-over format of the game.
Sachin Tendulkar, the cricketing maestro, was one of the first to extend his congratulations to Kohli on this remarkable feat. He graciously remarked, “Well played, Virat. It took me 365 days to go from 49 to 50 earlier this year. I hope you go from 49 to 50 and break my record in the next few days.”
The similarity in their milestone centuries doesn’t end there. Sachin himself had achieved an ODI century on his 25th birthday in the Coca Cola Cup final in Sharjah, back on April 24, 1998. On that memorable day, the “Little Master” scored a sublime 134 while opening the innings against Australia, etching his name in cricketing history.
Reflecting on his birthday innings at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kohli shared his sentiments, “Every opportunity to play for India is a big one for me, and to be able to do this on my birthday in front of such a huge crowd is the stuff of dreams. It’s something that you wish for as a child. So, I am very grateful to God that I am blessed with these moments. So much love from the fans as well. Just continue to try and help the team in any way possible.”
Virat Kohli’s reputation as a chase master is well-established, known for his ability to break down formidable scores into manageable targets and pursue them without faltering. However, on a challenging Sunday, he had to adjust his approach to tackle a gripping pitch, turning the game into a battle of attrition.
Kohli, typically an aggressive force against bowlers, started briskly by hammering two consecutive fours off South African pacer Kagiso Rabada shortly after India’s skipper, Rohit Sharma, departed in the sixth over of the day. He swiftly reached 18 runs off just 14 balls, bolstered by four well-timed boundaries.
As the Powerplay phase waned, Kohli’s pace significantly slowed down, with South African spinners Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi applying the brakes. Maharaj even had a chance to dismiss Kohli, but wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock dropped a sharp chance on the leg side when the batsman was in his mid-30s. In the following over, Maharaj narrowly missed Kohli’s outer edge as the Indian captain struggled to read the spin while playing on the front foot.
However, Kohli recognized that he needed to preserve his wicket, trusting that runs would eventually flow if he remained patient and focused. Reflecting on his innings, he noted, “It was a wicket that was tricky to bat on. We got a great start. My job was to keep the momentum going when I got in,” underscoring his exceptional ability to manage risk. Uncharacteristically, Kohli, who typically includes sixes in his repertoire, didn’t clear the boundary even once during his 121-ball innings.
What made this century even more remarkable was the dynamic partnership between Kohli and Shreyas Iyer, where Iyer played the aggressive role, maintaining a strike rate of 88.51, while Kohli’s unbeaten 101 runs were scored at a steady rate of 83.47.
In an unusual turn of events, Iyer outshone Kohli as they both put up a 134-run partnership for the third wicket off 158 balls, propelling India to a position of strength. Despite reaching a significant personal milestone, Kohli chose to maintain a measured celebration, recognizing that the ultimate goal was to win the World Cup. The job is far from over, and Kohli’s unwavering focus remains on capturing the coveted Cup.
Virat Kohli’s achievement is not just a testament to his exceptional talent but also a reminder of his relentless dedication to the game and his ability to adapt to challenging conditions. As he continues to make strides in his career, cricket enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await his pursuit of Sachin Tendulkar’s cherished record and more remarkable moments on the cricket field.
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