- Saturday, April 27, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
Ace India batter Virat Kohli had a mega start to 2023 as he belted his 45th century in one-day internationals (ODI) in the first match against Sri Lanka at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati on Tuesday (10).
Coming into bat at the 20th over when the hosts were well placed at 143 after the visiting team won the toss and chose to bowl, Kohli hit his ton in just 80 balls to help India register 373 for 7 wickets in 50 overs. He scored 10 fours and one six en route his century. Kohli was eventually dismissed for 113 off 87 balls off pacer Kasun Rajitha. It was his second consecutive century after the 113 he made against Bangladesh in Chattogram in December.
It was the 34-year-old batter’s 73rd international century, taking him one place closer to the iconic Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 100 tons.
His latest century saw Kohli equalling Tendulkar’s record of 20 international centuries at home, most by any batter. It was also Kohli’s ninth ton against the Lankans in the format, the most by any Indian batter against the islanders. Tendulkar also has eight centuries against the islanders. However, Kohli and Tendulkar have nine ODI hundreds against the West Indies and Australia, respectively.
The Indian batter got two lives during his knock and capitalised on the opponents’ error. He was first dropped by wicket-keeper Kushal Mendis in the 37th over off Rajitha’s bowling. He was let go six overs later, again off Rajitha’s bowling. This time, he was batting on 81 and was dropped by captain Dasun Shanaka.
