Kohli Closes in On Tendulkar’s Record

Virat Kohli is once again the man of the moment after securing the 48^th One-Day International century of what is a stellar career. Kohli, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, saw his hundred prove crucial in India’s seven-wicket thrashing of Bangladesh in the ICC World Cup, and now he has eyes on an even bigger prize.

Kohli, 34, followed India captain Rohit Sharma into bat and reached the century mark alongside Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer and K L Rahul. Securing the 48^th ODI hundred of his career means that Kohli is now just one shy of the record set by Sachin Tendulkar, a record that popular cricket betting sites suggest he could break in the near future, and perhaps even before the World Cup is done and dusted, with India scheduled to play New Zealand next.

Interestingly, at one stage, it looked uncertain whether Kohli would be able to hit the century mark, as he needed three for the ton, but India only required two for the victory. Bangladesh spinner Nasum Ahmed proceeded to deliver a ball leg side, with Kohli fretting it would be given as a wide. But umpire Richard Kettleborough decided Kohli had left the ball, and this allowed him to go on and hit a six to secure both the century and the victory in impressive style.

It was the third time Kohli had managed to hit a hundred in a World Cup fixture, but it happened to be his first in a chase. And, as you will expect, after he bagged the ton, Kohli also went on to be named player of the match. It was an excellent showing from Kohli, but more so from India, who won with fifty-one balls to spare, which is quite the achievement.

Captain Sharma was keen to heap praise on his teammates after the victory, “It was a good win, something that we were looking forward to. We did not start well, but we pulled it back in the middle stages and at the back end as well.” He reserved special praise for player of the match Kohli, “Bowlers were smart enough to understand what sorts of lines and lengths were needed. (Ravindra) Jadeja was brilliant with the ball and took a brilliant catch. But a hundred is a hundred. You cannot beat that.”

While Kohli will undoubtedly have an eye on achieving further success as part of the India team, he will also harbour hopes of first matching Tendulkar’s 49 One-Day International centuries record, before going on to hit the magic 50. And he will know deep down that it’s going to be very difficult for the record he sets himself to be rivalled anytime soon.

Whether it comes before the end of the World Cup, with England, Sri Lanka, South Africa and the Netherlands to follow after India’s clash with New Zealand, remains to be seen, but the King will feel that it’s not beyond him, especially after his recent showing against Bangladesh in Pune.