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.
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