Team India put up a huge total of 397 runs for New Zealand to try and chase at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai in the semifinal of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 encounter on Wednesday.
Star Indian batsman Virat Kohli brought up his 50th ODI ton as he surpassed the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s tally of 49 centuries in the 50-over format. Kohli also breached the 700-run mark in a single edition of the World Cup to register yet another record.
Legendary English footballer David Beckham was also in attendance as the men in blue ventured out onto the field looking to seal a spot in the final of the ICC showpiece.
Follow all the action from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 including the World Cup schedule, World Cup 2023 results, and ICC Cricket World Cup points table. Players are vying to top the World Cup 2023 Most Runs and World Cup 2023 Most Wickets charts.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star heaped praise on Kohli after witnessing history being scripted in front of his very eyes in Mumbai.
“I’m in India at the very right time,” Beckham began.
“I’ve seen the Diwali, and today I saw Virat Kohli bat and reach his 50th century,” the 48-year-old said.
Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat first as the skipper lead from the front to give the men in blue a flying start. Rohti and young opener Shubman Gill put up an opening stand of 71 runs for the first wicket before Tim Southee sent the Indian skipper back to the hut after he had made 47 off just 29 deliveries.
Gill went back to the pavilion retired hurt at 72 before Kohli and Shreyas Iyer took over the innings.
Kohli’s landmark ton wasn’t the only batting highlight as Shreyas Iyer also notched up a ton to bring up back-to-back centuries in the blue ribbon event. Iyer’s 105 off 70 balls turned out to be the quickest ton in a World Cup knockout game.
He also drew parity with Australian legends Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting for the most number of sixers in a single World Cup knockout game with eight maximums in his innings.
KL Rahul added 39 runs to the total while Gill remained unbeaten on 80 after resuming his innings as the men in blue ended with a mammoth score on the board in the final-four fixture.