"Virat Kohli Will Slam His 50th Century Against...": Sunil Gavaskar's 'Savoury' Prediction For India Star

27.10.2023 - 14:25 sports.ndtv.com

Star India batter Virat Kohli was one big hit away from equalling former teammate and batting great Sachin Tendulkar's record of most ODI centuries.

However, Kohli, who was batting on 95, holed out in the deep during India's World Cup 2023 match against New Zealand in Dharamsala last week.

So far, Kohli has scored 48 tons in the format, only one less than the 'Master Blaster'. Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, however, has predicted that Kohli will break Tendulkar's during the match against South Africa in Kolkata on November 5.

Interestingly, Kohli will be celebrating his 35th birthday on the very same day. Gavaskar is confident that Eden Gardens will witness Kohli's 50th ODI century, which will take him past Tendulkar in the all-time list. "I don't know about the 49th but I know about the record-breaking 50th.

cricket South Africa Cricket Team India Cricket Team England Cricket Team Virat Kohli Sachin Tendulkar Star Sports Star India Sunil Gavaskar South Africa New Zealand India Sri Lanka

India's Virat Kohli scored a record 50th one-day international hundred when he reached three figures in the World Cup semi-final against New Zealand in Mumbai on Wednesday, hailing the landmark as being "like a dream". Kohli, 35, reached his century -- his third of the tournament -- with a two off fast bowler Lockie Ferguson, having faced 106 balls, hitting eight fours and a six, to break the record of 49 ODI hundreds he had shared with Sachin Tendulkar. He did so on his former India team-mate's home ground, with Tendulkar among those applauding at the Wankhede Stadium as Kohli bowed towards his childhood hero and fellow 2011 World Cup-winner. "It feels like a dream. Too good to be true," said Kohli at the innings break after India piled up 397-4. This was Kohli's 279th ODI innings, with the former India captain having also scored a further 71 fifties in addition to his 50 hundreds.

"Look At Virat Kohli": England Great's Advice To Jos Buttler And Co After Poor World Cup Show

Defending champions had a forgettable outing at the ongoing ODI World Cup as the Jos Buttler-led side got eliminated in the league stage. The 2019 champions were only able to register three victories in nine matches and finished at the seventh spot in the points table. Their poor run at the mega event has invited a lot of backlash from many former cricketers. Similarly, former England skipper Michael Vaughan has slammed the Three Lions and advised them to follow the fitness routine of star India batter Virat Kohli.

Watch: Virat Kohli Shows His Love For Anushka Sharma With This Viral Gesture

Virat Kohli scored a record 50th one-day international hundred as India hammered New Zealand by 70 runs in the semi-final to qualify for the Cricket World Cup final. With former Real Madrid and Mancester United star David Beckham in attendance, among many other famous personalities, Kohli achieved the record, which held alongside his idol and former teammate Sachin Tendulkar, in his 279th ODI innings. Kohli's wife Anushka Sharma was also in attendance at the Wankhede Stadium to watch the historic moment unfold.

"People Like Virat Deserve Respect": Ex-Pakistan Star's Ultimate Praise For India Batter

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar showered praises on Virat Kohli for his record-breaking ton against New Zealand during the World Cup semi-final match at the Wankhede Stadium. Kohli surpassed 'Master Blaster' Sachin Tendulkar and became the first player in the history of ODI cricket to score 50 centuries. Moments later Virat's gesture stole the show as he bowed to Sachin who was applauding in the stands witnessing the star batter surpassing his record. The "Rawalpindi Express" hailed Kohli's gesture and called him the number-one player in the world.

"He Understands Cricket, We Just Let Him Be": India Batting Coach Vikram Rathour Praises Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli understands his role in the team perfectly and does not require a lot of attention from the coaches, said India batting coach Vikram Rathour. Kohli on Wednesday scaled unprecedented heights when he smacked his 50th ODI century and went past the legendary Sachin Tendulkar in terms of getting most tons in the format. Kohli scored 117 here at the Wankhede Stadium to fire India to a massive 397 for 4, the highest-ever total for any team in the history of World Cup semifinals.

"Why Help Virat Kohli When He Had A Cramp?": Ex-Australia Star Questions New Zealand

Cricket fraternity the world over might be cherishing Virat Kohli's record-setting 50th ODI century but former Australian pacer Simon O'Donnell has flayed New Zealand's gesture of helping the batting great when he was suffering from cramps during the World Cup semifinal. Kohli, 35, was seen struggling with cramps during his 113-ball 117, which powered India into the World Cup final at the Wankhede Stadium here on Wednesday. A few New Zealand players opted to assist the star India batter while he was struggling with cramps, and O'Donnell said he had a "problem" with that gesture.