In a momentous feat at Wankhede Stadium, Virat Kohli clinched his 50th ODI century, overshadowing even the iconic Sachin Tendulkar’s record. The spectacle unfolded with Kohli’s signature swat-flick, a shot that had been dormant for a while but made a resounding comeback.
Notably, Kohli’s journey to this milestone is distinct from cricketing legends like Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, MS Dhoni, or Rohit Sharma. He embodies an amalgamation of their virtues, making him a unique force in ODI cricket. The significance of achieving this landmark on Tendulkar’s home ground during a World Cup semi-final, with family and cricketing luminaries like Viv Richards watching, added an emotional layer to the achievement.
Kohli’s approach to ODI batting has been revolutionary, succeeding the trailblazing Tendulkar. His impeccable game sense was evident in the semi-final as he strategically tackled challenges posed by bowlers like Trent Boult and Tim Southee. Kohli’s ability to read the game, punctuating his innings with well-timed aggressive strokes, sets him apart.
In the latter part of his career, Kohli seems to have embraced a T20 influence, displaying positivity and aggression early in his innings. Despite this shift, his batting exudes a sense of ease and inevitability, reminiscent of Tendulkar’s late-career traits. Opponents, from Babar Azam to Mushfiqur Rahim, appear in awe of Kohli, similar to the reactions Tendulkar garnered in his final years.
The signature swat-flick, a shot indicating a comeback, adds a thrilling dimension to Kohli’s batting. As he fine-tunes this stroke against slower and shorter deliveries, fans can anticipate its return to glory. Kohli’s role as a chase master, following in the footsteps of MS Dhoni, adds a layer of scientific precision to his approach, ensuring a less stressful experience for fans.
Unlike other famous milestones in Indian cricket, Kohli’s journey to equaling and surpassing Tendulkar’s ODI centuries has been a breezy affair. Despite a challenging period in recent years, Kohli’s rich form in the 2023 World Cup showcases his prowess. Whether he graces another ODI World Cup in four years or not, this edition has solidified Kohli’s status as the Big Boss of ODIs.
