Team India batting maestro Virat Kohli finished the ODI World Cup 2023 with the most runs in the tournament. Kohli was in sublime form throughout the tournament and scored 765 runs in 11 matches at a staggering average of 95.62.
The 35-year-old started the campaign with an 85-run knock against Australia and finished with 54 runs against the same opposition in the summit clash of the tournament. However, his final knock didn’t help India much as they lost the WC final to Australia by 6 wickets. It was a memorable campaign for Kohli as he became the first batter to score 50 ODI centuries with his fabulous knock against New Zealand in the semi-final at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
Virat Kohli in World Cup 2023
11 innings | 765 runs | Average 95.62 | Strike Rate 90.31 | 3 X 100s | 6 X 50s
The 35-year-old hit three centuries which helped him break Sachin Tendulkar’s massive record of most ODI tons. Tendulkar hit 49 ODI centuries during his illustrious career.
Kohli also broke Tendulkar’s record for most runs in a single edition of World Cup. Tendulkar managed to amass 673 runs but India failed to win the trophy after losing the final to Australia.
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The Indian cricket team gave the role of anchor to Kohli and he fulfilled it well throughout the tournament. Whenever India were in trouble there was Kohli to rescue them and help them post big on the scoreboard.
He also became the first batter to score five consecutive 50-plus scores in World Cups
Five consecutive 50+ scores in World Cups
5 Steven Smith in 2015
5 Virat Kohli in 2019
5 Virat Kohli in 2023
The 35-year-old became the first Indian to score 50-plus scores in both semi-final and final in a World Cup edition.
50+ scores in both semi & final in a World Cup edition
Mike Brearley (1979)
David Boon (1987)
Javed Miandad (1992)
Aravinda de Silva (1996)
Grant Elliot (2015)
Steven Smith (2015)
Virat Kohli (2023)
Meanwhile, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma scored 597 runs in 11 matches and finished second on most runs tally in the 2023 World Cup. Rohit scored one century and three half-centuries but the numbers don’t justify how crucial his role was at the top of the order. His ultra-aggressive approach in the powerplay allowed the other batters to take some extra time to get settled.
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