Anushka Sharma celebrates Virat Kohli's 53rd ODI ton with heartwarming post

Anushka Sharma celebrates Virat Kohli's 53rd ODI ton with heartwarming post

Virat Kohli extended his sensational run of form by scoring his 53rd ODI century in the second match against South Africa in Raipur on Wednesday. The 102-run knock came off 93 balls and followed his brilliant 135 in the series opener in Ranchi.

His wife Anushka Sharma celebrated the accomplishment by posting a heart emoticon on Instagram.

This century increased Kohli's tally to 84 international hundreds across formats, inching him closer to Sachin Tendulkar's all-time record of 100 centuries. Additionally, his latest feat is the 11th time he has scored back-to-back centuries in the format — more than any player in ODI history. The next most for anyone is six by AB de Villiers.

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Kohli's knock was laced with seven fours and two sixes and it played a key role in helping India amass a formidable 358/5. Supporting him at the other end was Ruturaj Gaikwad, who also reached the milestone - his maiden century in the format.

Gaikwad smashed a magnificent 105 off 83 balls and in the process he combined with Kohli to stitch a record-breaking 195-run stand for the third wicket. Their alliance came after India were reduced to 62/2, losing openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (22) and Rohit Sharma (14) early. The partnership outperformed the 2010 Gwalior 194-run partnership between Sachin Tendulkar and Dinesh Karthik.

After Yusuf Pathan's 68-ball ton in 2011, Gaikwad’s hundred is the second-fastest ODI century by an Indian against South Africa, taking just 77 balls to reach the milestone.

Also Read | Ruturaj Gaikwad rewards team management’s faith, shines in new no. 4 role in Raipur with sensational ton

KL Rahul then dealt the final blow as India crossed the 350-run mark. The stand-in captain returned unbeaten on 66 off 43 balls.

With this innings, Kohli now has seven or more ODI centuries against four different opponents — South Africa, Australia, Sri Lanka and the West Indies — a feat previously achieved only by his idol Sachin Tendulkar.