Former Indian captain Virat Kohli, on Sunday, November 19, became the second-highest run-scorer in the ODI World Cup. The 35-year-old went past former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting during the final of the 2023 edition at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Sachin Tendulkar is on top of the list, having racked up 2278 runs from 45 matches at an average of 56.95 and a strike rate of 88.98 with five hundreds and 11 half-centuries to show for his efforts. Ponting, who played his last World Cup back in 2011, racked up 1743 runs from 46 matches at an average of 45.86 and a strike rate of 79.95 with five hundreds and six fifties.
Kohli’s performance has been nothing short of spectacular, firmly establishing him as a cricketing legend. The Indian batting powerhouse played a pivotal role in his team’s campaign. He also set a new record for the most runs scored by any player in a single edition of the men’s ODI World Cup.
Kohli’s journey to his 50th ODI century was a testament to his class and tenacity. During the high-pressure semi-final against New Zealand in Mumbai, he reached this historic milestone with a deft flick for two off Lockie Ferguson in the 42nd over.
This century was a momentous occasion, as Kohli became the first player ever to score 50 centuries in One Day Internationals, surpassing the previous record held by the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.
His 50th ODI hundred was described by Kohli himself as ‘the perfect picture,’ a fitting tribute to his relentless pursuit of excellence.
With this century, Kohli not only etched his name in the annals of cricket history but also provided a masterclass in batting under pressure, further cementing his status as one of the greatest batsmen of his era.
