New Delhi, Dec 13 (IANS) Opening up for the first time since India lost the Men’s ODI World Cup final, captain Rohit Sharma admitted that though one has to move on in life, it was honestly tough for him to get over the defeat in the final at Ahmedabad.

In the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on November 19, Rohit continued to give India fast starts in the first ten overs, slamming a 31-ball 47 as the hosts’ reached 80 at the end of the first powerplay.

But after that, India never got the desired groove in the middle overs and eventually made 240. In reply, Australia chased down the total in 43 overs, and halted India’s ten-match unbeaten streak in the tournament. It meant that India’s date with destiny and ending their ten-year drought of a global trophy ended in a heartbreak.

“I’ve always grown up watching the 50-over World Cup. To me that was the ultimate prize, the 50-over World Cup. We’ve worked all these years, for that World Cup. And it is disappointing, right?”

“If you don’t get through it, don’t get what you want, what you’ve been looking for all this while, what you were dreaming of. You get disappointed. You get frustrated as well at times.”

"I had no idea how to come back after the final, my family & friends kept me going - it was hard to digest but life needs to move on but honestly it was tough to move on from that day, it was the ultimate prize," said Rohit in a video posted on ‘Team45ro’ Instagram account.

After the tournament was over, Rohit headed to United Kingdom with his family to try and get over the sadness of losing the World Cup final, while appreciating the fans for coming out to support the team in huge numbers. “After the final, it was very hard to get back and start moving on, which is why I decided that I need to get my mind out of this.”

“But then, wherever I was, I realised that people were coming up to me and they were appreciating everyone’s effort, how well we played. I feel for all of them. They all, along with us, were dreaming of lifting that World Cup, along with us.”

“Everywhere we went during this entire campaign, there was so much support from everyone who came to the stadium firstly and people who were watching it from home as well.”

“I want to appreciate what the people have done for us, in that one and half month period. But again, if I think more and more about that I feel quite disappointed that we were not able to go all the way.”

Rohit revealed fans telling him that they were proud of Indian team’s performance in the World Cup, making it easy for him to heal and was touched by the empathy shown by them. “For me to see, you know, people coming up to me, telling me that they were proud of the team, you know made me feel good. Along with them, I was healing as well. I felt, okay these are the kind of things you want to hear.”

“People, when they understand what the player must be going through and when they know these kind of things and not to bring out that frustration, that anger, it means a lot for us, for me definitely it meant a lot because there was no anger, it was just pure love from people that I met and it was wonderful to see that. So it gives you motivation to get back and start working again and look for another ultimate prize.”

Rohit will be next seen in cricketing action during India’s two Tests against South Africa in Centurion from December 26-30 and in Cape Town from January 3-7, 2024, after taking a break from the white-ball leg of the tour.

It is India's second series of the 2023-2025 World Test Championship cycle, after winning the two-Test series in West Indies in July by 1-0. The last time India played a Test series in South Africa was in December 2021-January 2022, which Rohit missed due to a left hamstring injury.

At that time, India won the first Test in Centurion, before South Africa bounced back to win matches in Johannesburg and Cape Town to eventually claim the series 2-1, thus increasing the visitors’ search for a first-ever Test series win in the country.

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 25 (IANS) Suryakumar Yadav, the stand-in captain for India’s ongoing T20I series against Australia, admitted that it will take time for the players to get over the six-wicket defeat suffered in the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup final to Australia, and hailed the motivation coming from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India were the pre-tournament favourites and won ten straight matches in the competition while playing in front of a passionate home crowd and in familiar conditions. But their invincible run came to an end when they lost to Australia by six wickets in Sunday’s final at Ahmedabad.

"As you all know, it's been 4-5 days since the end of the World Cup. Everyone are disappointed, including us. But the support that we received from our fans in India and abroad was amazing to witness, and I would like to say that at the end of the day, this is a sport and it teaches us a lot, like how to go ahead and move on in life,” said Suryakumar in a video posted by the BCCI.

Following India’s defeat in the final, PM Modi visited the dressing room and met all the players as well as support staff members. “I just want to say that please maintain the support you have given us all the time. As you all saw after the final ended, our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji also met us in the dressing room and motivated us”

“He said, 'it is a sport, and this happens – the ups and downs. You have to take all these things in your stride'. Yes, it will take time to get over and come out of this. But his motivational words and coming to meet all of us for five-six minutes was very big; a leader of the country coming in to the dressing room and motivating the team was huge for all of us,” added Suryakumar.

With the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup set to be played in West Indies & USA from June 4-30, Suryakumar promised the Indian team will put their best foot forward for clinching the trophy.

“We listened to PM Modi’s words carefully and he also spent time with us. But we will try to play very well in future tournaments. We again have an ICC tournament to come in the next year and we will play in future events with the intensity shown in this World Cup and hopefully, we will win it."

Sydney, Nov 22 (IANS) Australia captain Pat Cummins believes his team have created a career-defining legacy with their 2023 ODI World Cup win, after a long six months on the road in India and England.

Cummins and other Australian players began landing back home on Wednesday morning, after days of celebrations in India.

"I think they have created their own legacy. A World Cup, you only get one chance every four years and especially playing somewhere like India, it's hard," Cummins said of his side as he touched down at Sydney Airport.

Cummins, hailed for his leadership in the semi-final and final, confessed that after Australia's initial defeats to India and South Africa, he believed their tournament was nearly finished

"To be honest (I did think we were long odds). It almost became sudden death really. We thought we pretty much had to be flawless from there on in just to make the semis. And we pretty much were. We started to find ways to win, even when we weren't having our best days," Cummins said.

"Even before the tournament, we knew playing ODI cricket in India, it's a pretty tough assignment. To be pitted up against the rest of the world and come away with a medal, it doesn't get any better than that. We couldn't have planned for much better. So a pretty satisfied group," he added.

Cummins and pacer Josh Hazelwood landed in Sydney on Wednesday morning while head coach Andrew McDonalds and Allrounder Mitchell Marsh touched down at the Melbourne Airport. Marnus Labuschagne landed in Brisbane.

Seven members of the squad have remained in India to feature in the looming T20 series, while the other half have returned to prepare for the Test summer.

Ahmedabad : In a remarkable feat, Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPI) has set a new record for handling the highest number of passengers and flights on a single day, coinciding with the World Cup final match. The airport successfully managed 40,801 passengers and 359 Air Traffic Movements (ATMs), including over 260 scheduled and 99 non-scheduled flights.

This remarkable achievement was attained within 23 hours, despite a 45-minute closure of the airspace due to the World Cup air show. The airport's well-developed infrastructure and continuous improvement efforts played a crucial role in ensuring seamless operations. The hard work and dedication of the airport staff, including AAI, CISF, Immigration, Customs, Airline Partners, and the SVPIA team, were instrumental in this success.

Post-World Cup Flight Prices Surge

As cricket enthusiasts return from the World Cup final, air ticket prices have skyrocketed across various routes. Online searches reveal significantly higher ticket prices from Ahmedabad to major cities. On November 20, flight tickets from Ahmedabad to Delhi ranged from Rs 24,000 to Rs 40,000, while tickets to Mumbai were priced between Rs 25,000 and Rs 36,000. Airfares to Kolkata reached a staggering Rs 38,000 to Rs 49,000, while flights to Bengaluru and Hyderabad were priced between Rs 31,000 to Rs 51,000 and Rs 30,000 to Rs 43,000, respectively.

New Delhi, Nov 20 (IANS) Sachin Tendulkar, the cricket legend, extended his congratulations to Australia for securing their sixth ODI World Cup victory and also conveyed a heartfelt message to the Indian team, praising their relentless efforts in the tournament.

India won 10 straight matches to reach the final on home soil, but were beaten on the day by an Australian side who delivered in all facets of the game to run out winners by six wickets to lift their sixth men's ODI World Cup title on Sunday.

Sachin acknowledged Australia's superior cricket performance while also praising the Men in Blue for their dedicated efforts throughout the tournament.

"Congratulations to Australia on their sixth World Cup win. On the most important day of the biggest stage, they played better cricket.

Hard luck Team India, just one bad day in an otherwise sterling tournament can be heartbreaking. I can imagine the agony of the players, fans and well-wishers and what they must be going through. Losses are a part of the sport but let us remember that this unit gave their all for us throughout the tournament," Sachin wrote on social media platform X.

Jay Shah, the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), also praised the Indian team's unyielding spirit and their relentless attitude that never wavers.

"Although the Men in Blue may have fallen short in the Cricket World Cup 2023 finals against Australia, their journey has left an indelible mark of inspiration. From triumph to tribulation, each match became a testament to the unwavering spirit, determination, and skill of our team. Winning all 10 matches leading up to the finals, they showcased the true essence of cricket – a game that is as unpredictable as it is beautiful.

"The entire nation rallied behind our boys, transforming this World Cup into a nationwide celebration of cricket in India. The energy, passion, and unyielding support from the entire population were truly incredible," Shah wrote a long post on X.

"To every single member of Team India, I express heartfelt gratitude. Your dedication, hard work, and perseverance have provided moments of pure joy throughout this tournament. You've made us proud, not just with your victories, but with the way you've played the game – with heart, with pride, and with a never-say-die attitude.

"This World Cup wasn't just about the wins; it was about the emotions, the camaraderie, and the indomitable spirit of Team India. Thank you for the joy and the unforgettable moments. Here's to the Men in Blue – true champions in every sense. The journey may have ended, but the pride and love for our team will resonate forever," the post further read.

New Delhi, Nov 20 (IANS) India skipper Rohit Sharma, talismanic batter Virat Kohli, wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul, spin all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, fast-bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami have been included in the 2023 Men's ODI World Cup team of the tournament.

Though India finished as runners-up in the tournament, after its unbeaten ten-match winning streak came to an end with a six-wicket defeat to Australia in the final at Ahmedabad, six players from the team made it to the team of the tournament, including Kohli, the leading run-scorer and Player of the Tournament, as well as leading wicket-taker Shami.

Named in the Team of the Tournament for the second straight time in a 50-over World Cup, Rohit was instrumental in setting the tone at the top of the order for India. After a duck against Australia in Chennai, Sharma was unstoppable with a blistering 131 from just 84 balls to win the Player of the Match award against Afghanistan.

He backed that by top-scoring with 86 in a vital win over fierce rivals Pakistan, and passed 40 on all but one occasion thereafter, including in the final against Australia, setting the base for India to get big totals or ace chases.

Kohli hit a staggering 765 runs at an average of 95.62, shattering the previous record held by Sachin Tendulkar, who amassed 673 runs during the 2003 edition. Kohli’s best performance came in the semi-final win over New Zealand as his 117 and third tournament century, also his 50th ODI ton and surpassing Tendulkar, steered India to its first final in 12 years.

Rahul chipped with several key knocks throughout the tournament, like an unbeaten 97 in Chennai, as well as a hundred in a routine win over the Netherlands at his home ground in Bengaluru. He top scored for India in the final with 66 but it proved in vain as the hosts were denied by an inspired Australia side.

Jadeja impressed with the ball, most notably against South Africa when he became only the second Indian spinner after Yuvraj Singh to take a five-wicket haul in ODI World Cups. He made further history with two wickets against the Netherlands three days later, as he overtook Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble for the most wickets in a single World Cup by an Indian spinner.

Shami was a late addition to India’s playing eleven, but left a huge impact thereafter. He recorded the best figures of any bowler in a World Cup knockout game after his seven-for in the semi-final success over New Zealand. That performance helped Shami to the top of the wicket charts following mesmerising displays against New Zealand (5/54) and Sri Lanka (5/18).

Bumrah, just like Rohit, is included for the second World Cup running after taking 20 wickets, two more than his tally in 2019. Ever a threat with the new ball, Bumrah picked up the early wickets of Australia’s Mitchell Marsh and Steven Smith as India threatened to stage a dramatic fightback in the final.

Other players in the team of the tournament include all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who helped Australia get their sixth World Cup title on Sunday. New Zealand’s top-order batting all-rounder Daryl Mitchell, as well as Sri Lanka’s left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka find places too. South Africa’s recently retired wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock is also included, while young fast-bowler Gerald Coetzee is the 12th man.

2023 Men’s ODI World Cup Team of the Tournament: Quinton de Kock (wk), Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Daryl Mitchell, KL Rahul, Glenn Maxwell, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Dilshan Madushanka, Adam Zampa and Mohammed Shami. 12th player: Gerald Coetzee

Mumbai, Nov 20 (IANS) Superstar Shah Rukh Khan has penned an emotional note for team India after they were beaten by Australia in the World Cup final match. He thanked the men in blue for doing the country proud.

On Sunday, Australia beat host India by six wickets in the final match in Ahmedabad adding to their World Cup trophies won in 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2015.

Australia won their sixth ODI World Cup title in stunning fashion as Travis Head powered home the team with a fierce century. Chasing 241 to win, the Aussies won with seven overs to spare. India batted first and were bowled out for 240.

Taking to X, SRK wrote: “The way the Indian team has played this whole tournament is a matter of honour and they showed great spirit and tenacity.”

“It’s a sport and there are always a bad day or two. Unfortunately it happened today….but thank u Team India for making us so proud of our sporting legacy in cricket…u bring too much cheer to the whole of India. Love and respect. You make us one proud Nation,” added the ‘Chak De’ actor.

Several Bollywood stars were spotted at the India vs Australia’s final World Cup 2023 match. After Mohammed Shami took the first wicket and sent David Warner out after scoring just 7 runs, SRK was seen cheering, shouting with pride and pumping his fist in the air.

When Jasprit Bumrah stumped the second wicket (Mitchell Marsh), the 'Pathaan' star was seen giving a high-five to daughter Suhana.

Other than SRK, Ranveer Singh, Asha Bhosle, Gauri Khan, Deepika Padukone, Prakash Padukone, Ayushmann Khurrana, Madhur Bhandarkar and, Shanaya Kapoor were present at the stadium.

Mumbai, Nov 11 (IANS) It's official -- India will take on New Zealand in the semifinal of the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023 at the Wankhede Stadium here on November 15, in a repeat of their clash at the same stage in the 2019 edition.

South Africa will meet Australia in the second semifinal at the Eden Gardens on November 16, with the winners of the two matches facing off in the final of the mega event in Ahmedabad on November 19.

The four semifinalists were confirmed for the knockout stage of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 after England defeated Pakistan by 93 runs at the Eden Gardens on Saturday.

Hosts India will finish on top of the standings during the group stage of the event regardless of the result in their final match against the Netherlands on Sunday. Thus, Rohit Sharmá's side is already locked in to tackle New Zealand in the knockout semifinal on November 15.

It is the same venue where India registered a commanding 302-run victory over Sri Lanka earlier in the tournament.

Pakistan had a very slim chance of making the semifinals by defeating England by a massive margin to surmount a huge NRR deficit. But the 1992 World Cup winners failed to come anywhere close to the mathematical equations as England ended their hopes by posting a score of 337/9 on electing to bat.

Thus, New Zealand (10 points) finished fourth in the standings behind table toppers India (16), South Africa (14) and Australia (14). South Africa finished second based on a better NRR of +1.261 as compared to Australia's +0.841. 

Thus, India will now have a chance to take revenge on New Zealand after the latter ended their campaign at the semifinal stage in the 2019 edition.

If the hosts win, they will take it to the final for the first time since 2011 as they had lost to Australia in the semifinals in the 2015 edition.

Bengaluru, Nov 11 (IANS) Even though India are assured of a top-place finish in the table going into their last preliminary league encounter that oo against the Netherlands, chief coach Rahul Dravid has said they don't have plans to rest first-choice players and give a chance those on the bench.

India have dominated all their opponents so far and are unbeaten in the tournament, winning all the eight matches they have played so far with consummate ease. Though the Netherlands have caused an upset by stunning South Africa, India are still the favourites and should easily win Sunday's match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

That is the reason many people believe that the Indian team management should rest some of the players who have figured in all eight matches and give chances to others so that they are also match-ready if needs be in the semifinals.

However, Dravid did not commit to any such plans and the players have had enough rest since their last match.

"I mean, honestly, we've had six days off from the last game. So, we're pretty well rested and the guys are in good shape. That's all I'll say without giving away the level. So, we've had six days off, we've got one game before the semi-final. The boys are rested. So that's all I'll say," said Dravid in the pre-match press conference before Sunday's match against the Netherlands.

Asked how would they try to maintain a balance between putting up a strong playing XI and keeping players on the bench ready for any eventuality, Dravid said currently their focus is on choosing the best possible playing XI.

"So now at this stage, it's about just focusing on getting the guys who you think are going to be playing in the 11 in the best possible space mentally and physically to be able to play that semifinal and hopefully the final if we earn it.

"So that will be the single-pointed thinking it's not about there are times there are times for larger picture thinking and there are times for narrow focus thinking in my opinion and now's the time for sure narrow focus thinking if everyone is fit," he said.

India lost Hardik Pandya to injury and Prasidh Krishna was approved as a replacement.

Mohammad Shami has stepped in and done well, claiming a couple of five-wicket hauls in the four matches he has played so far. Shami could do so because he had played some matches before the World Cup. But that can't be said about other players on the bench like Prasidh Krishna, who hasn't played a lot of cricket in the recent past. 

Dubai, Nov 11 (IANS) Two-time World Cup winner Sir Vivian Richards has urged unbeaten India to stay positive and attack at all costs as they attempt to win a third title at this year's event.

India have taken all before them at the 13th edition of the World Cup this year and have won all eight matches they have appeared in to sew up a spot in the semi-finals next week.

Richards - renowned as one of the most flamboyant and attacking players of his time as he helped the West Indies to World Cup success in 1975 and 1979 - wants to see India continue to play to their strengths and avoid any negative thoughts as they strive to stay unbeaten and add to their previous titles in 1983 and 2011.

"India have a mindset that they can go all the way playing like this," Richards said on his column for the ICC.

"That absolutely should be their mindset and would be mine if I was in that dressing room – let’s go out with all guns blazing. That approach has worked so far and if that changes, things may go astray.

"I believe they can go all the way unbeaten, which is really something to strive for. There may be some fears of ‘we have played so well so far, there may be a bad game around the corner in the semi-final’. They have to try and nullify those and banish any negative thoughts."

While Virat Kohli is a long-time favourite of Richards, the West Indies great admits he has also taken a liking to Shubman Gill as the India opener reminds him of how he used to play.

Gill became the No.1 player on the ODI Batter Rankings last week when he surpassed Pakistan captain Babar Azam, while Richards holds the highest rating in the history of ODI cricket when he registered a total of 935 rating points at the end of 1985.

"Shubman Gill is another who bats with style and he is just one among a whole host of players who have all the big shots," Richards noted.

"I am just hoping no one forgets there was a guy without a helmet by the name of Vivian Richards who went out and played like that sometimes! 

"Some of the shots played today are those I like to think I had in my armoury, maybe with the exception of the reverse sweep, but that would have been unwise without the lid on. 

"I’d like to think my scoring rate matches up with the guys playing today, though the game has moved on massively – as a fan, I am delighted with where the game is at currently." 

Kolkata, Nov 5 (IANS) It was Guy Fawkes Day. Commensurately, there were fireworks. The sound and fury, though, was ununiform -- it came almost entirely from the home front. Much to the satisfaction of an overwhelming majority in the 66,000 audience, of course!

The 37th fixture of the 2023 Cricket World Cup had, because of the way the competition has evolved, become the biggest fixture of the tournament so far -- the first and second positioned teams in the league table in a pre-knockout clash of titans.

But the touted battle did not live up to its billing. India were again much too good for the opposition, crushing them -- with flashing willow and talking leather -- by a mammoth 243 runs. 

It was not merely the fact of victory, but the margin of it. The outcome undoubtedly exposed clear daylight between the strength of the Indian team and the rest of the field. 

Yet, the proof of the pudding will only come at the knockout stage, where India have fallen at the first hurdle in the last two championships.   

Tens of thousands among the spectators chanted 'Kohli', 'Kohli' even before the match got underway -- conscious that Virat Kohli stood on the threshold of equalling Sachin Tendulkar's 49 one-day international (ODI) centuries.

Much to his fans' delight, he fulfilled their wishes, that, too, on his 35th birthday. 

But it was the slowest ODI hundred in his glittering career on a wicket where the odd ball stopped and stroke-making was not easy. He remained unconquered on 101.   

Ever since he took over the Indian captaincy a couple of years ago, Rohit Sharma has in ODIs adopted a high-risk, unselfish, almost carefree approach to opening the innings.

This has been distinctly different from his previous approach of laying a foundation before launching into attack.

The switch has probably been dictated by Twenty20 cricket infusing greater aggression among batsmen in general and consequently the need to capitalise on the first powerplay so as to establish a platform for a secure total -- these days considered to be not less than 350.

Sharma's blast catapulted India to 61 in five overs -- a run rate in excess of 12 an over. 

His personal contribution was 40 off 24 balls when he drilled Kagiso Rabada into the hands of his opposite number Temba Bavuma at mid-off. Two sixes and six fours embellished his effort. Perhaps a trifle more patience on Sharma's part will serve India better, for it is likely to lend to more substantial contributions.

After rather wayward opening overs from Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen -- the latter bowling a nervous, uncontrolled 10-ball first over, which conceded 17 runs, including extras from wides -- Rabada introduced discipline and was rewarded in his very first over with Sharma's wicket. 

He also generated more pace and bounce than his colleagues to peg the Indians back on a pitch not exactly conducive to fast bowler.

Not a seat seemed to be empty at the venerable Eden Gardens, venue of countless international cricketing engagements since 1934. 

The original, manual scoreboard at the Calcutta High Court end of the ground has given way to a modern-day electronic score screen. 

A traditional, hand-operated one has, though, made an appearance in what used to be the Ranji Stand, now strangely renamed after an obscure non-cricketer. 

The stands reflected a sea of blue tee-shirts in an overt sign of solidarity with the home side.

Shubman Gill as usual had the crowd gasping with his classy cover drives and on-drives. 

He also stepped out to the tall left-arm medium pacer Marco Jansen to smack him for six to long-on. But the left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, replacing Jansen, cut short a burgeoning innings with a ball that turned sharply to beat Gill's outside edge and tickle the bails. 

The much-improved Maharaj, quite notably, gave away only three runs an over in his quota of 10, thereby to his great credit containing the dangerous Kohli and Shreyas Iyer.  

Pleasing to the eye, Iyer commenced cautiously, his strike rate a bit concerning to begin with. But the Indian venture, admittedly, needed a degree of stabilising at 93 for two, notwithstanding the run rate of nearly nine an over. 

Having taken a good look at the bowling, he launched into lofted drives fetching boundaries. He also hooked Jansen for four, not to mention thumping the left-arm wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi for a straight six.

As Iyer gathered momentum, Kohli, who started briskly, retreated into an anchor's role. 

However, come twilight in the day/night spectacle and the master resumed a twinkling array of strokes. 

He pulled off-spinner Markram for a four and came down the track to Ngidi to procure as many past mid-on. 

The third wicket realised a significant 134 run partnership.

Iyer went past Kohli in terms of run rate. But attempting to hit across the line to a three-quarter length delivery, he skied Ngidi to mid-on. 77 off 87 balls was valuable input.

Thereafter, KL Rahul disappointed; and Suryakumar Yadav, albeit in circumstances of not enjoying the luxury to get his eye in, failed to live up to the crowd's great expectation -- as testified by the rousing reception he received as he stepped out to bat.

Shamsi was expensive, but he troubled batsmen, too; and he collected Suryakumar's scalp, when the batter gloved a switch hit and Quinton de Kock behind the stumps pulled off an acrobatic legside catch. 

The left-handed Ravindra Jadeja, then, compensated with a flurry of fluent shots for a 15-ball unbeaten 29.

There was noticeably greater assistance to spinners than quicker bowlers, particularly at the pavilion side of the pitch. 

Maharaj proved this. Jadeja surpassed him with flattering figures of five for 33; while Kuldeep Yadav, operating from the less bountiful end, captured two for seven – with an economy rate of 1.35.

Mohammed Shami, playing at home, was again in his element. He finished with two for 18.  

Kolkata, Nov 5 (IANS) Virat Kohli on Sunday brought up his 49th century in One-day International cricket and equalled the record held by batting legend Sachin Tendulkar for most ODI centuries while scoring an unbeaten 101 against South Africa at the Eden Gardens on Sunday.

Kohli’s handy century came in 119 balls comprising ten boundaries. Kohli scored his 49th hundred in only his 289th ODI, 173 matches faster than the legendary Tendulkar, who got there in his 463rd match. 

On Sunday, Kohli scored his unbeaten 101 off 121 deliveries. The 34-year-old batter also racked up his 79th hundred for India, 21 short of Sachin’s world record of 100 centuries.

Earlier, Kohli became only the second Indian batter after Sachin Tendulkar to score 3000 runs against South Africa in international cricket.

In the match against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium a few days back, Kohli set the record for most 1000-run years in ODIs in men’s cricket (8), breaking the previous record of Tendulkar, who scored 1000 runs in a calendar year seven times.

Kohli has been in great form in the World Cup. He is the third-highest run-getter in the World Cup 2023 with 442 runs, hitting four half-centuries and one century.