In a thrilling Cricket World Cup 2023 match between India and the Netherlands, the talismanic batter Virat Kohli fell short of his 50th ODI century but managed to etch his name in the record books by equalling Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most half-centuries in a single World Cup edition. This remarkable feat was achieved at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday.
Kohli, a cricketing legend in his own right, displayed his class with his seventh half-century of the tournament. The Indian captain’s innings of 51 runs came off just 5 deliveries, featuring 5 fours and one six. Although he couldn’t reach the coveted century mark, his consistency has been a highlight of this year’s Cricket World Cup.
Most 50+ scores in a single World Cup edition:
- Sachin Tendulkar (2003): 7
- Shakib Al Hasan (2019): 7
- Virat Kohli (2023)*: 7
India’s skipper, Rohit Sharma, won the toss and decided to bat first against the Netherlands. India, leading the table with an unbeaten streak in all eight of their matches, made no changes for this crucial tournament’s last league match in Bengaluru.
Having secured their place in the semi-finals, India will face New Zealand at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday. Rohit Sharma expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “It’s a good opportunity for us to tick all the boxes. We are extremely happy with how we have played in this tournament, which makes the job easier as a skipper.”
In contrast, the Netherlands, despite making an early impact by stunning South Africa, remained at the bottom of the table with just two victories. Captain Scott Edwards announced that his team would remain unchanged from their previous loss to England. He also expressed his excitement about the “biggest crowd we’ve had in the tournament.”
As the Cricket World Cup 2023 enters its crucial phase, the semi-finals promise to be intense battles. Five-time winners Australia and South Africa are set to face off in the second semi-final scheduled to take place in Kolkata on Thursday.
The remarkable performances by cricketing legends like Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, and Shakib Al Hasan continue to captivate fans and add a touch of excitement to the tournament. While Kohli couldn’t secure his 50th century in this match, his consistent batting and record-equalling half-centuries have showcased his exceptional skill and contribution to the game.
Teams:
India: Rohit Sharma (capt), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wkt), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj
Netherlands: Max O’Dowd, Wesley Barresi, Colin Ackermann, Sybrand Engelbrecht, Scott Edwards (capt/wkt), Bas de Leede, Teja Nidamanuru, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren
The cricketing world eagerly awaits the semi-finals, where the top teams will battle it out for a chance to lift the coveted World Cup trophy.
