Last Updated on 3 years ago by Charbel Coorey
The great Virat Kohli has finished unbeaten in yet another successful chase, this time knocking off his 48th ODI century in India’s comfortable seven-wicket World Cup win over Bangladesh in Pune.
After Rohit Sharma (48) and Shubman Gill (55) put on an exhilarating 88-run opening stand in 12.4 overs, Kohli wasted no time in getting going. India’s number three hit 12 off his first three balls, displaying the immediate intent Bangladesh were hoping to avoid as they sought to get back in the game.
Kohli did not let the Bangladeshi bowlers settle. He was dominant on both front and back foot. Out of his 97 deliveries, just 37 were dots, with ten glorious boundaries.
Indeed, the way Kohli played in the other 47 deliveries is a hallmark of his ODI career. He always kept things ticking, giving the opposition no time to think. In the end, he motored to his century, hitting the winning runs in the process thanks to KL Rahul also helping the Indian legend reach the landmark.
Reactions to Virat Kohli’s 48th ODI century
There was some criticism leveled at Kohli and India due to the importance placed on reaching the milestone. However, the majority of fans were in support of the approach in the final overs, especially given India won so easily.
In fact, Kohli sped up with 26 runs needed, enabling the Indians to reach the target quicker.
“Virat Kohli now averages 58 in ODI cricket. After scoring 13,342 runs and playing 273 innings. No matter how many times I see them, I just can’t digest these numbers,” one fan tweeted. “What’s wrong in going for a hundred? It’s not that he slowed things down to get there. Yes he turned down a few singles but also hit boundaries to make it up,” said another fan.
