ODI World Cup 2023

'Koi nahi hai takkar me' - Fans praise Virat Kohli for his 50th ODI Century, scores 117 vs New Zealand in CWC23 Semifinal

In the first semifinal of the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023, India faced New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. With his 113-ball, 117-run knock, Virat Kohli surpassed legendary India batter Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 ODI centuries.

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Mathew K
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Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli (Source: Twitter)

In the first semifinal of the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023, India faced New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. In a high-voltage clash, India skipper Rohit Sharma opted to bat first. His decision went well with the team, as Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer smashed magnificent centuries to help India post 397/4 in 50 overs.

With his 113-ball, 117-run knock, Kohli surpassed legendary India batter Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 ODI centuries. Kohli now has 50 centuries in ODI cricket, which is the most by any batter. In his innings, Kohli smashed nine boundaries and two sixes. With this, Kohli also became the first batter in ODI cricket to score 700 runs in a single World Cup series.

Here is Virat Kohli's 50th-century celebration:

Earlier, in the game, India won the toss and opted to bat first. Skipper Rohit Sharma, along with opener Shubman Gill, added 71 runs for the first wicket in just 8.2 overs. Rohit, in his innings, scored 47 runs off 29 balls with the help of four boundaries and four sixes. Meanwhile, Gill, in his inning, scored an unbeaten 80 runs off 66 balls with the help of eight fours and three sixes.

Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul stole the show

Despite Kohli's amazing batting performance, it was Shreyas Iyer who stole the show with his magnificent century. In his innings, Iyer scored 105 runs off 70 balls with the help of five fours and eight sixes. This is Iyer's back-to-back century in the last two games. Apart from him, wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul also smashed an unbeaten 39 runs off 20 balls with the help of five fours and two sixes.

For New Zealand, Pacer Tim Southee clinched three wickets, including from skipper Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav. Apart from him, Trent Boult also got a wicket as he dismissed Shreyas Iyer. It's worth noting that if India defends this successfully, it will qualify for the finals of the ODI World Cup for the first time in the last 12 years.

Here is how fans react to Virat Kohli's 50th ODI century:

India Virat Kohli Sachin Tendulkar ODI World Cup 2023