Kohli Creates History, Gavaskar Crowns Him ODI King
In a monumental moment for cricket, former Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar lavished praise on Virat Kohli after the modern maestro scored his 52nd ODI century, officially breaking the long-standing record of the great Sachin Tendulkar. This historic milestone was achieved during the first One Day International between India and South Africa at a packed JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi.
Kohli's masterful innings not only propelled India to a strong total but also cemented his status as one of the format's all-time greats. By surpassing Tendulkar's tally of 51 centuries, Kohli now stands alone as the player with the most centuries in a single format of international cricket.
Gavaskar's Glowing Tribute
Speaking during the mid-innings break on JioCinema, Sunil Gavaskar did not hold back in his assessment of Kohli's greatness. "Those who've played with Virat Kohli and against him, they all agree that he's the greatest of ODIs," Gavaskar stated. He highlighted the significance of earning praise from rival nations, adding, "Ricky Ponting also rated him as the GOAT. It's very tough to get appreciation from Australians. When you pass Sachin, you know where this man stands."
This endorsement comes at a crucial time, as ODI remains the only international format Kohli currently plays, having retired from Tests and T20Is. Demonstrating his enduring passion and fitness, Kohli has set his sights on participating in the 2027 World Cup before eventually drawing the curtains on his illustrious career.
A Masterclass in Ranchi
Despite facing recent criticism from some quarters suggesting retirement, Kohli answered his detractors in the most emphatic way possible. He played a chanceless innings, scoring 135 runs off 120 balls, a knock that was both stabilizing and explosive.
The match was also marked by a passionate display from a fan, who ran onto the field to touch Kohli's feet before being swiftly escorted away by security. The game marked the return of both Kohli and the 38-year-old Rohit Sharma to the ODI side, bringing a wealth of experience to an Indian team looking to bounce back after a 2-0 Test series loss to South Africa.
After the early dismissal of opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for 18, Kohli joined captain Rohit Sharma at the crease to roaring cheers from approximately 38,000 spectators. The duo steadied the innings with a crucial partnership before Rohit was dismissed for a brisk 51. While wickets fell at the other end, Kohli maintained his composure, carefully navigating the middle overs when the scoring rate slowed.
The moment of glory arrived when he reached his first century since February, after which he shifted gears dramatically. He showcased his destructive power by hammering 21 runs in the 39th over bowled by Prenelan Subrayen, which included two fours and two sixes. His magnificent innings, featuring 11 fours and seven sixes, finally ended when he was caught by Ryan Rickelton off the bowling of Nandre Burger.
The return of the veteran stalwarts significantly strengthened the Indian lineup, which was led by KL Rahul in the absence of the injured Shubman Gill, setting the stage for a thrilling contest.
