‘Virat aaj satako ka samrat’ – Fans go berserk as Virat Kohli notches up 49th ODI hundred vs South Africa in 2023 ODI World Cup

Standing tall on a tough pitch in front of over 50000 spectators, birthday boy Virat Kohli gave the biggest gift any fan could ask for. On his 35th birthday, the backbone of Indian cricket scored a sensational century to give his team a competitive total against South Africa. ‘King Kohli’ shattered several records by notching up his 49th ODI century and second of the 2023 ODI World Cup on Sunday.

Kohli made history by becoming the eighth player to score an ODI century on his birthday with a single off Kagiso Rabada in the third ball of the 49th over. Sachin Tendulkar (134 vs Aus Sharjah 1998) and Vinod Kambli (100* vs Eng Jaipur 1993) are the two Indian players who have achieved this feat in the past. It was Kohli’s fifth ODI century against South Africa – joint-most by a player against the Proteas alongside Tendulkar and David Warner.

Kohli is now tied with legendary batter Tendulkar for the most centuries in ODIs. The 35-year-old brought up his 49th ODI ton, making the overall century tally to 79. The right-hander now has the second most 50+ plus scores in the 50-over format. Tendulkar – 145 (452 innings) Kohli – 119* (278 innings). Additionally, with over 1500 runs, Kohli became the 3rd highest run-getter in World Cup history.

The 34-year-old also became the second Indian to complete 6000 runs in India in ODIs. Kohli is now the first Indian batter to complete 500 runs in the ongoing World Cup. With 543 runs at an average of 108.60, the No. 3 batter is currently second in the leading run-scorers list. He has hit two hundreds and four half-centries from eight innings so far in this tournament.

Talking about the match, opting to bat first at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Team India got off to a flying start. Rohit (40 off 24) and Gill (23 off 24) departed after giving a brisk start and the baton was handed over to Kohli and Shreyas Iyer. The duo steadied the ship by adding over 100 runs for the third wicket. Iyer was dismissed after a brilliant half-century (77 off 87 balls). KL Rahul failed to shine, but Suryakumar Yadav played an impactful knock before getting out on 22 off 14.

Here’s how fans reacted to Virat Kohli’s sensational hundred vs South Africa: 

https://twitter.com/saqibkhan_10/status/1721139583469953168

https://twitter.com/PKMKB_93K/status/1721139394445558172