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Virat Kohli made his 35th birthday a memorable one as his unbeaten century helped India complete another thumping win at the World Cup, this time against in-form South Africa in Kolkata by a huge margin of 243 runs on Sunday.
Sunday turned out to be a memorable day for Team India as they thrashed South Africa to register a massive 243-run victory in their ODI World Cup match. Opting to bat first, India posted a whopping total of 326/5 in 50 overs as Virat Kohli celebrated his birthday in style, with a record-equaling 49th ODI ton. Later, South Africa were bundled out for 83 with Ravindra Jadeja registering a five-wicket haul. After the match ended in the favour of the hosts, the entire Indian camp celebrated the joyous occasion in style.
After talismanic batter Virat Kohli reached a new highest on Sunday after he equalled legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 ODI centuries, Australia great Ricky Ponting lavished praise on former India captain and predicted even bigger things to come for right-hander at the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023. With a stunning century against South Africa on his 35th birthday, Kohli equalled Tendulkar's record of 49 ODI hundreds, and the swashbuckling batter has amassed a total of 543 runs in the ongoing tournament at an average of 108.60.
With star all-rounder Hardik Pandya out of the ongoing Cricket World Cup, India lack a sixth bowling option in their playing XI. Hardik, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament, suffered an ankle injury during India's match against Bangladesh on October 19. He missed the last three group matches, before being eventually ruled out of the tournament on the eve of India's match against South Africa on Sunday. During the match against Bangladesh, Hardik twisted his ankle while bowling.
Ravindra Jadeja on Sunday said the Eden Gardens track offered more turn in the afternoon when the South African spinners bowled, compared to the evening when Indian bowlers operated. He was speaking after India beat South Africa by 243 runs in a Cricket World Cup match. India's forever ‘Most Valuable Player' (MVP) himself left an impact on the game by scoring an unbeaten 29 not out and taking 5 for 33 but it was the peerless Kohli, who was adjudged the Player of the Match award for his record-equalling unbeaten 101.
From outside, Virat Kohli's record equalling 101 off 121 balls against South Africa on Sunday might look a bit laborious, but Indian captain Rohit Sharma termed the innings as one that suited the conditions and the match situation. Kohli's 49th ODI hundred paved the way for India's 326 for five on a slightly diffident Eden Gardens pitch, which proved way over the par in the end. "If you look at how we have played in the last three games, we have adapted better. Today, we needed Kohli to go out there and play to the situation. We then knew we had to keep it in the right areas (with the ball) and let the pitch do the rest," said Rohit during the post-match presentation.
49 centuries and counting! Virat Kohli now has joint-most number of tons in One-Day Internationals, having equalled batting great Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 on Sunday. Kohli reached the milestone ton in his 277th innings, far quicker than Tendulkar's 438, smashing an unbeaten 101 against South Africa in a Cricket World Cup match at the Eden Gardens. Interestingly, Kohli equalled his idol and former teammate on his 35th birthday. As Kohli joined him at the top of the podium, Tendulkar hoped that the former India captain would go on to break the record in the coming days.
The battle between the No. 1 and No. 2 of Cricket World Cup 2023 unfolded as India took on South Africa in a top-of-the-table clash at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. As the likes of Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill looked to orchestrate a solid partnership, they avoid a slight hiccup when the latter looked to take a tight single. Gill seemed to have risked his wicket as he ran at the danger end but the throw wasn't on target. Yet, South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma decided to disturb the stumps using his hand.