India head coach Gautam Gambhir gave Virat Kohli a warm embrace as the star batter reached his record-breaking innings during the 1st ODI against South Africa in Ranchi on Sunday. Kohli smashed a breathtaking 135, which marked his 52nd ODI century, further extending the record to add yet another feather to his illustrious career.
Gambhir came up with a warm hug and a handshake in the dressing room after Kohli's dismissal in the 43rd over of India's innings. The moment went viral across all social media platforms in no time.
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Kohli silences critics in style
Kohli's 120-ball knock was laced with 11 fours and seven sixes, which epitomised the vintage touch of the batter. This century also propelled him past the record of legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who has 51 ODI centuries. He is now the only batter to have the most hundreds in a single format.
Returning from a short break, Kohli had struggled for a productive start in the white-ball tour of Australia last month, registering consecutive ducks in the first two games. The right-handed batsman did respond with an unbeaten 74 in the final game, and Sunday's innings was a confirmation that his aura remains intact.
Success after success
Kohli's 135 helped India post an imposing total of 349/8. His century also marked his 83rd in international cricket and was the 7000th ton in men's international cricket. While Kohli remains 17 centuries behind Tendulkar's 100 international hundreds, the Ranchi knock has further cemented his dominance at the JSCA Stadium.
At Ranchi, Kohli has now scored 519 runs in six innings at an extraordinary average of 173, including three centuries and a fifty, while maintaining a strike rate of 110.19. As per a report by the NDTV, having retired from T20Is and Tests, Kohli is now solely focused on ODIs as far as international cricket is concerned.
