Revisiting Kohli's 50th ODI ton against NZ (2023 WC semi-final)
What's the story
The first semi-final of the 2023 World Cup saw several records being scripted as India thrashed New Zealand.
India won the match by 70 runs, thanks mainly to tons by Virat Kohli (117) and Shreyas Iyer (105) and a stunning 7/57 from Mohammed Shami.
Meanwhile, in this article, we take you back in time to revisit Kohli's 50th ODI ton.
Total
Kohli smokes his 50th ODI ton, India post 397/4
After a blazing 71 from skipper Rohit Sharma, Kohli took charge, anchoring India's innings with masterful precision.
He first stitched a steady 91-run stand with Shubman Gill, who retired hurt on 80*, before forging a dominant 163-run partnership with Iyer.
With this, Kohli brought up his 50th ODI ton, etching his name in history.
Riding on his brilliance, India posted a mammoth 397/4.
50th ODI ton
Kohli smashes 106-ball century, surpasses Tendulkar
Kohli's 106-ball century made him the first player to reach 50 ODI hundreds, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's 49.
Now, with 51 tons, Kohli stands alone at the top.
Fittingly, he achieved this historic feat at Wankhede, with Tendulkar watching from the stands, making the moment even more special.
Breakdown
A breakdown of Kohli's 50th ODI ton
As mentioned, Kohli's historic ton came against NZ in the 2023 WC semi-final.
The 36-year-old reached his fifty in 58 balls off Rachin Ravindra.
He brought up his century on his 106th delivery with a classy flick off Lockie Ferguson in the 42nd over.
His brilliant 117 (113 balls), featuring nine fours and two sixes, came at a strike rate of 103.53.
Most runs
Kohli scripts new record in 2023 World Cup
Despite India's title miss, Kohli finished as the 2023 WC's highest run scorer.
As per ESPNcricinfo, he amassed 765 runs (11 innings) at 95.62 (SR: 90.31), including three centuries and six fifties, earning the Player of the Tournament award.
He surpassed Tendulkar's record of 673 runs (for most runs) and set the record for most 50-plus scores in a single ODI World Cup edition.