MUMBAI: India’s star batter Virat Kohli has become the first batter in the history of ODI cricket to score 50 centuries during the 1st Semi-Final of the ICC World Cup 2023 against New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium.
Virat Kohli was tied with Legendary Sachin Tendulkar for scoring the most ODI centuries (49) before this match.
Virat Kohli completed his record-breaking 50th century during the 42nd over bowled by Lockie Ferguson, taking 106 balls to reach the landmark with the help of eight boundaries and one six.
Virat Kohli’s record-breaking innings ended on the final ball of the 44th over by Tim Southee as Devon Conway pocketed a low catch at deep square leg.
Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP
He scored a total of 117 runs off 113 balls, featuring nine boundaries and two sixes.
Notably, this was his 80th international century overall, taking a step closer to Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 100 centuries across formats.
Other than scoring the 50th century, Virat Kohli broke another record of Sachin Tendulkar as he became the first batter to score 700 runs in a single edition of the ODI World Cup, going past the Indian batting great’s record of 673 runs in the 2003 edition of World Cup.
READ: No special treatment for injured captain Bavuma, says South Africa coach