Virat Kohli played a sensational innings of 113 runs to help India register a comprehensive 7-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the 7th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Thursday, October 19. Earlier, Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first. They were without the services of skipper Shakib Al Hasan as the all-rounder was ruled out of the fixture due to a left quad injury he sustained during the New Zealand clash.
India, meanwhile, fielded an unchanged playing XI. Opening batsmen Litton Das and Tanzid Hasan provided the Bangla Tigers with an absolutely brilliant start in the match and added 93 runs for the opening partnership. However, after the dismissal of the openers, Bangladesh lost wickets at regular intervals and played poor cricket. Then the veterans Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah took responsibility and steadied the ship.
The duo batted really well and played confident cricket. In the end, Bangladesh were able to post a decent total of 256/8 on the board. For India, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah bagged two wickets each while Shardul Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav bagged one wicket each.
WATCH – Jasprit Bumrah’s Searing Yorker Dismisses Mahmudullah, Sends Him Packing
Chasing the target of 257 runs, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill provided India with an excellent start in the match. Rohit Sharma was the aggressor in the partnership and he allowed Gill to play his natural game. They stitched together 88 runs before Rohit Sharma got out. Shubman Gill soon got out after completing his fifty and Shreyas Iyer was also back in the pavilion for a low score.
However, Virat Kohli joined forces with KL Rahul and steered India to a remarkable win. In the process, Virat Kohli also completed his dramatic century.
The batting superstar Kohli helped India reach a stage where the victory was guaranteed and then he set his eyes on the century. There were a lot of twists and turns as Kohli was on the path to his hundred, but he eventually achieved the feat by smashing Nasum Ahmed for a six. India won by 7 wickets to register their 4 consecutive win in the ICC World Cup 2023 and this was Kohli’s 48th ODI ton and 78th international ton.
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Kohli’s innings was a masterclass in batting. He played with great composure and patience, and he never looked in trouble. He hit some exquisite shots all over the ground and his century was a joy to watch. India’s victory over Bangladesh was a convincing one, and they are now one of the favorites to win the World Cup. Kohli’s innings was the highlight of the match, and it was a reminder of why he is one of the greatest batsmen of all time.
Jadeja, Kuldeep, Bumrah, Kohli, Gill, Rohit.#CWC2023
— Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa) October 19, 2023
No.48 for @imVkohli and another big win for India. This team is unstoppable at this point!
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) October 19, 2023
👑 Pakistani fans will always wish to have a match-winner and a legacy maker like Virat Kohli in Pakistan Cricket Team! #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/Y74wTAY6eU
— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) October 19, 2023
This is by far the most funniest hundred I’ve ever seen in international cricket 😭 Man was working out every single run scenario that would take him to the 100 in his mind.
— Heisenberg ☢ (@internetumpire) October 19, 2023
How was that not a wide? Seems even the umpire wanted Virat Kohli to score a hundred! #CWC23 #INDvBAN
— Mohsin Kamal (@64MohsinKamal) October 19, 2023
Never ever I’ve seen Kohli playing for his personal milestone. This is the first time he’s done this. But if there’s someone who can be selfish once in 250 games, then one of them has to be Kohli.
Well played.
— Jaanvi🏏 (@that_shutterbug) October 19, 2023
VIRAT KOHLI FINISHES OF IN STYLE AND COMPLETED HIS 48TH ODI CENTURY…👏🏻👏🏻
Outstanding knock from Virat kohli..what a player..👏🏻👏🏻#Viratkohli #CWC2023 pic.twitter.com/VdYQT5jpCI— रोहित जुगलान Rohit Juglan (@rohitjuglan) October 19, 2023
Hos to score an effortless hundred? Ask Virat Kohli, the chase master #INDvBAN #IndVsBang
— Amol Karhadkar (@karhacter) October 19, 2023
A clinical victory for India. King Kohli 👌🏻 #CWC23
— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) October 19, 2023
Fitting that the first close game at this World Cup is between Virat Kohli and scoring an international century
— Ben Gardner (@Ben_Wisden) October 19, 2023
Kohli 🎯✅🤎100 sabash shera @imVkohli #indiavsbangladesh
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) October 19, 2023