Virat Kohli celebrated his 35th birthday with a record-equalling 49th one-day international (ODI) century to help India beat South Africa by 243 runs at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on November 5.
Kohli scored 101 not out off 121 balls — to move level in the all-time ODI ton table with India batting legend Sachin Tendulkar — as he powered Team India to 326-5 in 50 overs. The batter added 134 runs off 158 balls for the third wicket with Shreyas Iyer who scored 77 off 87.
Facing the best bowling attack in the tournament so far, South Africa crashed to 83 all out in just 27.1 overs — its second-lowest total in ODIs.
Both India and South Africa have already qualified for the semifinals, being the top two sides in the points’ table.
India is the only undefeated side in the tournament with eight consecutive wins, and sits atop the table with 16 points. South Africa has 12 points with six wins in eight games.
In Sunday’s match, Ravindra Jadeja picked up his ODI best 5-33 in nine overs; Mohammed Shami returned figure of 2-18 in four overs, and Kuldeep Yadav took 2-7 in 5.1 overs.
