Virat Kohli's performance in the ODI World Cup 2023 has etched his name in cricketing history, captivating fans with his exceptional batting prowess. Throughout the tournament, the Indian batting maestro showed his form, playing a pivotal role in guiding India through the competition.
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In an impressive display of consistency, Kohli notched up his sixth fifty in the tournament during the final, marking a historic achievement. Having participated in 10 matches, each inning showcased Kohli's class and skill at the crease, resulting in a remarkable run tally of 765 – a new record for the highest runs scored by a player in a single edition of the men's ODI World Cup.
This also makes him only the second batter to hit a 50 in the final of an ICC tournament. The other batter is none other than Gautam Gambhir, who hit 97 in the final of the 2011 ODI World Cup vs Sri Lanka.
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The two star batters, one former and one current, also have half-centuries in the T20 World Cup finals. In 2007, when India beat Pakistan in the final, Gambhir hit 75 in the final, which India eventually won.
But Kohli, in the 2014 final, was on the losing side in the final against Sri Lanka after he scored 77 off just 58 balls.
Meanwhile, the semi-final against New Zealand saw Kohli surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's record for the most hundreds in ODIs, adding another feather to his cap.
In the World Cup final, Australia won the toss and opted to put India into bat.
Rohit Sharma, displaying his trademark aggressive style, took Josh Hazlewood early on. However, the early departure of Shubman Gill brought Kohli to the crease. Kohli wasted no time, hitting three consecutive boundaries off Mitchell Starc, and maintained a steady partnership with Rohit Sharma until India faced setbacks, losing both Rohit and Shreyas Iyer in quick succession.
Kohli then joined forces with KL Rahul, and despite a drought in boundaries, the duo ensured a steady scoring pace. Kohli's innings saw him becoming the first player to amass 750 runs in a World Cup edition. He achieved his sixth fifty in 56 balls, a feat that placed him among cricketing elites – Gautam Gambhir, MS Dhoni, and Virender Sehwag – as the only Indian batters to score a fifty in a World Cup final.
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