India and South Africa faced off in an intense clash during the group stage of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. What made this contest even more special was the fact that it fell on the 35th birthday of India’s cricketing maestro, Virat Kohli. The match held spectators in awe, not just for the game’s excitement, but for a remarkable feat that unfolded on the historic turf.
Virat Kohli, one of the most celebrated cricketers of our time, accomplished an incredible milestone on this auspicious day. He etched his name in the annals of cricket history by equalling the record for the most number of One Day International (ODI) centuries. Kohli’s 49th ODI century in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 match against South Africa was nothing short of a cricketing masterpiece.
The man known as the ‘Run Machine’ demonstrated his class and determination, matching the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s record. Tendulkar, who remains a cricketing deity, also achieved the same number of ODI centuries, but he did so in a total of 463 ODIs. Kohli’s achievement becomes even more remarkable when you consider that he reached this monumental milestone in the 49th over of India’s innings. He did it with a single off the bowling of Kagiso Rabada, a testament to his unparalleled skill and precision.
Kohli’s journey to this record was not without its share of near misses. The cricketing maestro came close to achieving this milestone on two occasions during the ongoing tournament. However, he narrowly missed it, falling just short of a century on both occasions.
In the match against New Zealand, he was tantalizingly close at 97 runs before being dismissed. A similar scenario unfolded in the match against Sri Lanka, where he scored a formidable 88. The frustration of falling short of the coveted century mark must have been palpable for Kohli on those days. However, his resilience and focus remained unwavering.
As the cricketing world celebrated Kohli’s 49th ODI century, the excitement extended beyond the stadium. Kohli’s wife, Anushka Sharma, a popular Bollywood actress, took to social media to share her joy. She posted a heartwarming photo of Kohli celebrating his century on her Instagram story.
Accompanying the photo was a caption that read, “Apne Birthday mai Khud ko present 100,” which translates to “He gifted himself a century on his own birthday.” This gesture by Anushka Sharma exemplifies the pride and joy she must have felt witnessing her husband’s remarkable achievement.
Anushka Sharma Posts A Lovely Message After Virat Kohli’s 49th ODI Century
