Virat Kohli uplifted his career with World Cup 2011, the winning scenes of which are still cherished by billions of fans. The title-winning six by MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli carrying batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar on his shoulders still remain fresh in everyone’s heart. Since that day Kohli has seen himself near a similar pedestal as Tendulkar minus the World Cup trophy which would have definitely completed the picture.
Virat Kohli was only 23 when India under Dhoni’s captaincy lifted the World Cup trophy in 2011 after 28 years since the maiden triumph under Kapil Dev in 1983. But the same couldn’t be repeated in Ahmedabad last Sunday which was really heart-breaking for millions of fans.
Virat Kohli – How did he make the World Cup his own?
With 765 runs in 11 matches, and scoring his 50th ODI century overtaking his ideal Sachin Tendulkar undoubtedly made this World Cup his own. The trophy would have been icing on the cake, but Australia proved to be a better team winning their 6th International title.
Virat Kohli made 3 centuries and 6 half centuries thus, rightfully deserves the title of the “Player of the Tournament”. But a dream remained unfulfilled for Virat lifting the trophy and going a step ahead of Tendulkar by becoming a double ODI World Cup winner. Just after the distribution of medals, you can see Virat covering his face with his cap and quietly making his way to the dressing room hiding thousands of emotions and sadness.
Virat Kohli and his 49th ODI century
Before the World Cup, Virat played five matches in the Asia Cup and scored a century, his 47th ODI century was against Pakistan where he scored 122 not out of 94 balls.
Oozing with confidence and determination, Virat took his game to a different level in the World Cup. He played in a composed manner and scored 85 runs in his opening match with Australia. He didn’t have to wait longer to score his 49th ODI century against South Africa where he smashed 101 not out off 121 balls on his birthday and the tally of his ODI tons reached 49, equal to Tendulkar’s.
The birthday boy instantly removed his helmet, raised his bat and looked at the sky to celebrate this milestone on his birthday which is a perfect gift from Virat to Virat.
Virat Kohli’s 50th and the Bow
The special message from Sachin Tendulkar says, “Congratulations Virat, It took me 365 days to go from 49 to 50. I hope you go from 49 to 50 in this World Cup itself and break my record.”
The 35-year-old had the stage set. Time was apt, the occasion was big and he did it in style. In the semi-final Vs New Zealand, he scored his 50th ODI century. He broke Sachin’s record in front of him at his home ground in front of a jam-packed and roaring Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Virat got down on his knees and bowed his head to Sachin Tendulkar and soaked in the applause from his fans. Sachin too stood up and applauded Virat from the stands. It was one of the most iconic moments of this World Cup.
With three centuries and six fifties, Virat signed off the tournament as the leading run-scorer. In 11 matches, he scored 765 runs at an astonishing average of 95.62 becoming the batsman with the most runs in a single edition of the ODI World Cup.
