Virat Kohli Century on His 35th Birthday: A Milestone Worth Celebrating

Introduction

In a remarkable display of cricketing prowess and a fitting birthday gift to his fans, Virat Kohli equaled Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 ODI centuries on his 35th birthday. What makes this achievement even more extraordinary is the speed at which Virat accomplished this feat, taking only 277 innings compared to Sachin Tendulkar’s 451. With another century under his belt, Virat Kohli is poised to become the batsman with the most ODI centuries in cricket history. Let’s delve into the details of this incredible milestone and the memorable innings that got him there.

The Match Overview

Virat Kohli’s quest for his 49th ODI century took place in a match against South Africa. India, after winning the toss, decided to bat first and had a shaky start, losing Rohit Sharma early at 62 runs in 5.5 overs. It was then that birthday boy Virat Kohli took the field.

The Perfect Cover Drive

Virat Kohli’s innings began with a textbook cover drive off Kagiso Rabada’s third ball in the eighth over. The ball was fuller length, outside the off stump, and Virat elegantly drove it towards the covers for a boundary. It was a sight to behold, as the ball met the bat, creating a moment of cricketing perfection.

Dominating the Bowling

Virat continued to dominate the South African bowlers with his exquisite strokeplay. He took a particular liking to Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada. In the ninth over, Jansen’s delivery on Virat’s pads was effortlessly flicked for a boundary towards square leg. Rabada, in the last over of the powerplay, faced Virat’s wrath as he bowled wide outside off, only to see the Indian captain drive the ball with precision between covers and mid-off for another boundary. The mid-on fielder had no chance to stop it.

Reaching the Half-Century Milestone

Keshav Maharaj’s 29th over saw Virat Kohli reaching his 71st ODI half-century. He played a tossed-up delivery towards long off, showcasing his impeccable timing and shot selection. But Virat was far from done; he had bigger goals in mind.

Flamboyant Shot Selection

Aiden Markram’s 34th over presented a short delivery on the off stump, and Virat Kohli stepped back to play a stunning pull shot towards square leg, securing yet another boundary. This particular shot highlighted Virat’s ability to dissect the field between deep midwicket and long leg with precision.

The Century Moment

As the innings progressed, Virat’s confidence soared. In Lungi Ngidi’s 35th over, he came down the track, using his wrists to hit a four towards midwicket. The crowd at the iconic Eden Gardens erupted with applause, celebrating their cricketing hero’s spectacular performance.

A Masterclass in Batting

The 38th over bowled by Kagiso Rabada saw Virat easily beat the short fine leg fielder with a shot down the leg side, resulting in yet another boundary. Virat’s wristwork and timing were on full display throughout the innings, proving that he can dominate any bowler at any time.

Century Achieved

Virat Kohli reached the historic century milestone by taking a single on the third ball of Kagiso Rabada’s 49th over. It was a moment that will be etched in the annals of cricket history, and it brings him one step closer to becoming the batsman with the most ODI centuries.

Conclusion

Virat Kohli’s 49th ODI century is a testament to his exceptional skill, consistency, and dedication to the game of cricket. On his 35th birthday, he treated cricket enthusiasts to a masterclass in batting, filled with elegant drives, precise flicks, and stunning pull shots. As he continues to rewrite cricketing records, there’s no doubt that Virat Kohli is a true legend of the sport, and his century-scoring prowess will be celebrated for generations to come. Congratulations to King Kohli on this remarkable achievement, and cricket fans around the world eagerly await the moment he surpasses the century record, solidifying his place in cricketing history.

Virat Kohli Birthday