Virat Kohli Will Score His 50th ODI Century On His Birthday At Eden Garden, Predicts Sunil Gavaskar
In 50 overs of cricket, Virat Kohli needs just two hundreds to become the world's first batsman to reach fifty tons. Sachin Tendulkar, a legendary batsman, amassed 49 hundreds in one-day cricket.
Virat Kohli, the standout batter for India, has been incredibly skilled with the bat throughout the 2023 World Cup. Having scored a century and three fifties in his first five innings, Kohli is currently the tournament's second-highest run scorer (354).
Kohli was out at 95 in the most recent game against New Zealand, which prevented him from reaching the well-deserved hundred after leading India to their sixth consecutive victory in the main event. If he had scored those five runs at Dharamsala, he would have equaled the record of 49 ODI centuries held by Sachin Tendulkar.
Kohli smashed 85, 55*, 16, 103*, and 95 in the final five innings. Only in the big match against Pakistan did he fall short of 50 runs.
Sunil Gavaskar, the former captain of India, prophesied that Virat Kohli would smash through his record-tying 50th ODI century against South Africa. On November 5, India will play Proteas at Eden Gardens. On the day of the match, Kohli will coincidentally celebrate his 35th birthday.
"I am aware of the 50th record-breaking run, but I am unaware about the 49th.What better day than Kohli's birthday to smash his 50th ODI century against South Africa at the Eden Gardens? When you hammer a ton there, the Kolkata crowd cheers and gives you a standing ovation; whistles and claps flood the air. It is quite the sight. Every batsman should cherish this moment, Gavaskar said Star Sports.
India's next matches are against Sri Lanka on November 2 and England on October 29 before they play South Africa. Kohli needs to score a ton in any game in order to attain the 50 ODI centuries on his birthday.
With 48 hundreds and 69 half-centuries, Kohli has amassed 13,437 runs at an amazing average of 58.16 in 286 ODIs. After Sachin Tendulkar (18,426), he is the second-highest run scorer for India in ODI cricket.
With 10 points, India presently leads the points table and a victory over England in Lucknow will virtually guarantee a spot in the World Cup semifinals.