Virat Kohli was in imperious form after he got to his 46th ODI hundred in the 3rd and final match of the series against Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, January 15. Kohli played a chanceless knock as he brought up his 3rd ODI hundred in his last 4 innings, sending a warning notice to the rest of the world in the ODI World Cup year.
During the match, he played a special shot as Kohli used his bottom hand to great effect and drilled a full-length delivery into the stands. The shot was similar to the helicopter shots that World Cup-winning India captain MS Dhoni played during his celebrated career. Kohli was surprised with his own effort as the ball sailed into the stands.
Watch the video here:
What a mad shot, Kohli. pic.twitter.com/AjOteDF3df
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 15, 2023
It was a monstrous six that traveled 97 meters, sending fans at the Greenfield International Stadium into a tizzy. In the 46th over bowled by Kasun Rajitha, Kohli skipped down the track and hit a slower ball into the long-on stands.
Virat Kohli hit his 46th ODI century
While he got to his hundred in 85 balls, hitting 9 boundaries and a six until then, the former captain cut loose after reaching the 3-figure mark. Kohli was in no mood to let go of his form as he switched gears and launched into the Sri Lankan bowling attack. Kohli went from 100 to 150 in just 21 balls as he put on a show for the crowd.
Kohli remained unbeaten on 166 as India finished with 390 for 5 in 50 overs. Kohli hit 13 boundaries and 8 sixes, the most by the former captain in an innings in ODIs. Earlier, Shubman Gill hit 116 as the India batters made light work of the Sri Lankan bowling unit. India headed into the 3rd ODI after having sealed an unbeatable 2-0 series lead. It was also the 5th time Virat Kohli went past the 150-run mark in ODI cricket. He has the most scores in excess of 150 in ODIs for a batter who is not an opener, 2 more than Sir Viv Richards.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
Tribute to Dhoni…who enquired about him during his tough days.
— movieman (@movieman777) January 15, 2023
Ab Zimbu bhi ye shot maarne ki bhi try krega 😂😂
— Shahvaz Khan (@Shahvazkhann) January 15, 2023
Rohit Sharma and babar azam fans….😂😂 pic.twitter.com/LBE9alLDuG
— Anubhav Verma (@Anubhav57958640) January 15, 2023
Sri Lankan looking this pic.twitter.com/7TSv7R7Dz3
— Prasun Jha (@jprasun21) January 15, 2023
Kohlicopter Shot 🔥 @imVkohli
— Oggy (@SirOggyBilla) January 15, 2023
Bodied dhala helikoptar.
— Shivem Doobey (@1996cric) January 15, 2023
Maza aa rha hai Run Machine ko run banate dekhte huye! 😍❤️#INDvSL #ViratKohli𓃵
— Praveen Kumar 🇮🇳 (@PraveenSarraf_) January 15, 2023
#ViratKohli𓃵
Pic of the day ..
King 👑 Kohli ..💖
166*(110) pic.twitter.com/iBmwDUTjDH— ravi Tarak..💥 (@RaviCho36959611) January 15, 2023
