Just when Indian fans started doubting the Indian skipper Virat Kohli’s ability to score centuries (he didn’t score in just three innings though), he came up with yet another match-winning century batting second in a 50-overs match. India chased down Australia’s challenging score of 298 for 9 with four balls to spare, thanks to Kohli’s 112-ball 104 – his 39th ODI ton.
Kohli’s sixth ODI century against Australia also took his tally of international hundreds to 64 (he has 25 in Tests) and that makes him the third highest international century-getter after Sachin Tendulkar (100) and Ricky Ponting (71). Kohli’s 64th international century took him past Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara who has 63 (38 in Tests and 25 in ODIs).
The Indian skipper is dashing towards the peak in the list of ODI century-getters pretty fast. In 2018, he scored three centuries each in two ODI series – against South Africa and the Windies. The fans will be expecting him to become the second batsman in history to score 40 ODI tons in the deciding game of the series in Melbourne on January 18.
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Former Australia coach Darren Lehmann, who stepped down from the coach’s position after the Sandpapergate last March, was overwhelmed by Kohli’s knock and said he loved the Delhi-born and also that he is the best batsman in the world. Lehmann came up with his opinion replying to a tweet posted by Fox Cricket seeking a vote in picking either Kohli or his fellow countryman Tendulkar as the best in the world.
Here is Lehmann’s tweet:
I love Virat Kohli ,best in the world . @MacquarieSport @FoxCricket https://t.co/Qww3eOznP4
— Darren Lehmann (@darren_lehmann) January 16, 2019
This might be a debate without a conclusion but there is no denying that Kohli has been one of the most consistent performers in world cricket today. Also besides threatening the best of records in batting, Kohli has done quite well in captaincy too and it’s just a matter of time before he emerges as the best ever India have produced in terms of numbers. He also became the first ever Indian to lead a side to victory in a Test series in Australia.
Speaking to bcci.tv after the second ODI in Adelaide on Tuesday that India won by 6 wickets to square the series 1-1, Kohli said his aim is to see India becoming a cricketing superpower.
