World Cup 2023: Virat Kohli's 48 ODI centuries' cutouts in Kolkata grab attention

Team India will lock horns with South Africa in a high-octane clash in the ongoing ICC Men's Cricket World Cup at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on November 5. India and South Africa are the two teams that have qualified for the semi-finals of this tournament.

Virat Kohli, who turned 35 today, is expected to hit his 49th ODI century while they face off the Proteas. In an admiration gesture for Kohli, his cutouts of all 48 ODI centuries were put near Red Road Kolkata and they grabbed the limelight on the internet. 

Notably, each of the cutouts depicts Kohli's trademark celebrations after scoring a ton for India in the 50-over format. The Delhi-born cricketer, who made his international debut in an away ODI series against Sri Lanka in August 2008, has so far amassed 48 tons in 288 ODI games. The right-handed batter is now just one century short of level with Sachin Tendulkar for most ODI hundreds, who has 49 centuries to his name.

Kohli eyes for 49th ODI century against South Africa

Virat Kohli registered his first ODI century on December 24, 2009, against Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens. Meanwhile, the last time he reached the three-figure mark was during India’s ODI World Cup clash against Bangladesh at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.

As India takes on the consistent South African team, the cricketing world wishes to witness a remarkable innings by the former India captain who is the side’s leading run-scorer and third overall, with 442 runs from seven games. Meanwhile, India captain Rohit Sharma is in fifth place having amassed a total of 402 runs.
Quinton de Kock, South Africa’s ace wicketkeeper-batter, tops the chart with 545 runs from seven games, having scored four tons at an average of 77.85. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s batting sensation, Rachin Ravindra, is in the second spot with 523 runs, including three centuries and two half-centuries from eight games.

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