World Cup 2023: Virat Kohli marks special day with record-equalling knock, joins Tendulkar for most ODI tons

Virat Kohli marked his 35th birthday with a special knock at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday (Nov 5) as he equalled Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most ODI hundreds. Having missed out on the ton against New Zealand and Sri Lanka, the former India captain chose his birthday to reach his 49th ODI ton while it is his 79th at the international level. The day also saw him become the third-highest scorer in the ODI World Cup history.

Kohli reaches Promise Land

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Playing in his fourth World Cup, Virat was eyeing his 49th ton against South Africa, having missed out against New Zealand and Sri Lanka in the previous innings. However, on the third ball of the 49th over Virat scripted history and has now gone level with the great Tendulkar. It needed 277 innings for Virat to reach the feat while Tendulkar needed 452, a staggering 175 innings less. With India scoring 326/5 in their 50 overs, the maestro remained unbeaten 101 off 121 deliveries, consisting of 10 fours and no sixes.

Most 100s in ODIs

49 - Virat Kohli (277 innings)

49 - Sachin Tendulkar (452)

31 - Rohit Sharma (251)

30 - Ricky Ponting (365)

28 - Sanath Jayasuriya (433)

Earlier he also became the third-highest scorer in the ODI World Cup history having leapfrogged Kumar Sangakkara. The birthday boy now has 1571 runs in 34 matches and still has a minimum of two innings to play in this World Cup. The list is still headed by great Sachin Tendulkar with 2278 runs in 45 matches at the global event.

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What happened in India’s innings?

Before Kohli’s storm, India skipper Rohit Sharma (40) and Shubman Gill (23) started on a positive note as they stitched a 62-run stand for the opening wicket. After the duo's quick-fire wickets, Virat and Shreyas Iyer took the initative in their hands to set a perfect platform for a big score. The latter again missed out on a hundred and was dismissed for 77 as he was scalped by Lungi Ngidi. Later, KL Rahul (8) and Suryakumar Yadav (22) joined Virat at the middle to help him get the ton. Ravindra Jadeja remained unbeaten on 29 as India reached the big total of 326/5 in their 50 overs.

For South Africa - Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, and Tabraiz Shamsi all ended with one wicket each.