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Virat Kohli’s Century powers India to victory

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Virat Kohli breaks Sachin Tendulkar's Record

By 67 runs, India defeated Sri Lanka 306 for 8 (Shanaka 108*, Nissanka 72, Malik 3-57, Siraj 2-30) with a total of 373 for 7 (Kohli 113, Rohit 83, Gill 70, and Rajitha 3-88).

India went into overdrive after a brilliant 143-run opening stand between Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma. When Virat Kohli hit his 45th ODI century, the total reached new heights.

Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Dasun Shanaka gave a spirited response for Sri Lanka, scoring some passable innings. However, India had a lofty goal of 374 in mind. And the chase seemed doomed from the moment Sri Lanka fell to 23 for 2 and 64 for 3 against some brilliant India seam bowling. Though they surged to 306 for 8, Sri Lanka didn’t give up easily; Shanaka finished his second ODI hundred in the penultimate over.

Seven wickets were taken by India’s seamers in total, with Umran Malik taking the most (3 for 57). But this game’s outline was determined by the top three scorers for the hosts. Gill scored 70 off 60, Rohit scored 83 off 67, and Kohli scored 113 off 87, which was largely dominant. Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and others kept the run rate up in the middle overs.

There were moments when India looked like they may attempt to reach 400, but Sri Lanka’s bowlers held up reasonably well in the dying stages with to Kasun Rajitha (who claimed three wickets) and Chamika Karunaratne. Naturally, everyone’s statistics were still a mess: Rajitha scored 88 points from a possible 10 and opened with Dilshan Madushanka at more than seven per over. It was not a pitch that was particularly favorable to spinners. The outfield was quick on top of that.

With Gill’s reliance on his impeccable timing, particularly through the off side, India’s excellent innings were the purest. And it was the knock that initially hinted that a huge sum was on the horizon. In the opening overs, he smacked not very wide or short deliveries square through the offside.

Gill had gotten up to 25 off of 17 by the end of the fifth, but Rohit subsequently took the lead. He walloped Rajitha for two sixes and a four in a particularly demoralizing period for Sri Lanka, all with his renowned pull shot, one of which came after he had attacked the bowler. His outing was becoming more and more contemptuous.

They quickly reached their fifties, with the broadening of the field and the introduction of significant spin barely slowing their rate of scoring. The partnership wasn’t entirely without luck, as both hitters might have been retired in their 40s had the standing umpire called them out lbw (reviews were rejected due to the umpire’s call).

Virat kohli breaks Sachin Tendulkar record

Rajitha was the bowler on both of Kohli’s dropped passes, one at 52 and the second at 81. Other than that, he sped through the middle overs. He was merciless to spinners’ length faults and tough down the ground against the quicks. He charged Shanaka to pound him through mid-on for his first boundary.

After moving down the track, he reached his half-century by hitting a six against Dhananjaya de Silva over wide mid-on. At this point, after approximately 35 overs had been bowled, he and Rahul were engaged in a partnership that produced 90 runs off of 70 balls. Kohli had strokes everywhere, but he scored a lot of runs in the area between mid-on and midwicket. India were already pushing 350 as he reached his hundred off of his 80th ball.

Kohli’s slow finish contributed to India’s 70 runs in the final nine overs. A total of 400 was possible at 303 for 3 after 41 overs.

The start for Sri Lanka was poor, despite Nissanka’s retrieving offside boundaries in the Powerplay. They were never able to gauge how steep this chase was. After taking out Avishka Fernando for five, Mohammed Siraj bowled Kusal Mendis off the inside edge in his subsequent over. The score for India at the end of the first powerplay was 75 for 0. Sri Lanka had a score of 38 to 2 and needed more than eight runs per over. Sri Lanka’s chances of triumph appeared slim after Charith Asalanka declined to appeal an erroneous caught behind ruling against Malik in the fourteenth over.

Some people did try to bring the chase back, though. For the fourth wicket, De Silva and Nissanka put up 72 runs off 65 balls. De Silva hit a nice 47 runs off 40 balls. Nissanka’s score of 72 out of 80 was probably a little slow given the situation, but it could be another step in his growth.

But then Sri Lanka lost four wickets for 45 runs, leaving Shanaka alone with the rest of the team. From then on, the goal was to get Shanaka as high a score as possible, since the win had already been lost. He took his time getting in. In the first 41 balls he faced, he only made 31 runs and hit one four and one six.

Soon, though, he began to break it. He got to 50 in 50 balls, and he turned down many singles so that No. 10 Rajitha would only face the last two balls of most overs. He then sped to a century in 87 balls, reaching triple digits on the second-to-last ball of the innings.

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1000 Runs in ODIs: Kohli’s Cricket Legacy

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1000 Runs in ODIs: Kohli's Cricket Legacy

On Thursday, November 2, Virat Kohli achieved an accomplishment. He became the batsman to surpass 1000 runs in ODIs in 2023, following in the footsteps of Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma. Not that,. He also joined Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Pathum Nissanka as the fourth players to achieve this impressive record in the 50-over format within the same year.

Stepping into History with 1000 Runs in ODIs

Virat Kohli celebrating 1000 Runs in ODIs with a jump on the field

Entering the realm of history, Kohli’s unwavering determination and exceptional skills were put on display during his match in 2023. Notably, the cricket maestro, now 34 years old, made an indelible impact by surpassing Sachin Tendulkar‘s record, securing the most number of years with 1000 runs in ODIs. Kohli’s consistent ability to perform at such an exceptional level has been a defining characteristic of his illustrious career, as he had previously achieved this monumental milestone in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2019, before accomplishing it once again in the present year of 2023.

An Unforgettable Journey

In an intense World Cup 2023 clash against Sri Lanka at the renowned Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Virat Kohli’s pursuit of this historic milestone was realized with an impressive 34 runs. Despite facing challenges, including a rare duck against England at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, his overall performance throughout the year has been nothing short of spectacular.

Kohli’s memorable journey was highlighted by an unbeaten century during India’s triumphant seven-wicket victory against Bangladesh at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune. Adding to his illustrious record, he solidified his stature with a brilliant 95 runs, making a significant contribution to India’s thrilling four-wicket win over New Zealand led by Tom Latham at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Pune.

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Shaheen Shah Afridi: Fastest to 100 ODI Wickets

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Shah Afridi celebrating a wicket

Shaheen Shah Afridi, on Tuesday, October 31, achieved a remarkable feat, becoming the third fastest bowler to secure 100 wickets in ODIs. His outstanding performance during Pakistan’s World Cup 2023 match against Bangladesh at the renowned Eden Gardens in Kolkata led to this historic accomplishment.

A Landmark Moment

In the thrilling encounter, Shaheen clinched his 100th wicket in only his 51st match, dismissing Tigers’ opening batter Tanzid Hasan Tamim. The left-arm fast bowler displayed exceptional skill as he struck Tamim on the pads, prompting the on-field umpire to raise his finger. Despite Tamim’s referral to the third umpire using the Decision Review System (DRS), the replays confirmed the ball crashing into the stumps, upholding the on-field decision. Bangladesh lost their first wicket with the scoreboard reading 0 in just 0.5 overs.

Surpassing Preceding Records

Shaheen Shah Afridi not only secured this feat in record time but also outshone the accomplishments of esteemed bowlers preceding him. He surpassed the record of the fastest pacer, previously held by Mitchell Starc, who attained the milestone in August 2016 during an ODI against Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Legacy of Excellence

Moreover, Shaheen shattered the long-standing record held by Saqlain Mushtaq, becoming the fastest Pakistani bowler to claim 100 wickets in ODIs. Saqlain had set this record on May 12, 1997, during an ODI against Sri Lanka in Gwalior. It is notable that among the Pakistani fast bowlers, the accomplished Shaheen Shah Afridi follows in the footsteps of the legendary Waqar Younis, who achieved the 100-wicket mark back in February 1993 against Zimbabwe in Sharjah.

Beyond ODIs

Demonstrating his prowess beyond ODIs, Shaheen has made significant contributions in Tests and T20Is as well. Since his debut in 2018, he has garnered 105 wickets in Tests and 64 wickets in T20Is. His exceptional journey began with a strong performance in the U19 World Cup in New Zealand. Notably, he played a pivotal role in Lahore Qalandars’ consecutive victories in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

A Testament to Talent and Dedication

Shaheen Shah Afridi’s rapid rise to 100 ODI wickets within 51 matches underlines his exceptional talent and unwavering dedication to the sport. As he continues to leave an indelible mark on the cricketing world, his journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring cricketers worldwide. With his remarkable achievements, Afridi has solidified his place in the annals of cricket history, etching his name as one of Pakistan’s most formidable and promising fast bowlers.

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ICC World Cup: Shoaib Akhtar says, ‘Mai India ki tareef kyu na karu’

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Shoaib Akhtar, former Pakistani fast bowler

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has recently expressed admiration for India’s dominant performance in the ongoing 2023 ICC World Cup. With India securing victories in all six matches, Akhtar highlighted the team’s exceptional display across various aspects of the game. Although the recent batting performance against England in Lucknow was relatively modest, India’s fierce bowling attack, led by Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah, proved instrumental in securing a remarkable win. This triumph not only solidified India’s leading position on the points table but also exacerbated England’s struggles in the tournament, leaving them virtually eliminated.

Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah laughing together on the field

India’s Remarkable Bowling Transformation

In his analysis, Akhtar emphasized the transformative impact of Shami’s inclusion in India’s playing eleven following Hardik Pandya’s injury. Acknowledging Shami’s outstanding performances against New Zealand and England, Akhtar credited India’s ability to win matches through their bowling prowess, showcasing a shift from their traditional reliance on batting strength. He commended the collective effort of the Indian bowling unit, particularly recognizing the strategic brilliance of fast bowler Bumrah.

The Indian cricket team is standing for the national anthem at the ICC World Cup

India’s Path to World Cup Glory

Looking ahead, Akhtar voiced his confidence in India’s potential to secure their third ODI World Cup trophy, highlighting the team’s upcoming matches against Sri Lanka, South Africa, and the Netherlands. Expressing optimism, he emphasized the significance of maintaining their unbeaten streak en route to the final, setting the stage for a potential historic ICC World Cup victory. However, Akhtar cautioned against compromising the successful bowling unit once Pandya returns to full fitness, warning against the potential detriment of a partially fit Pandya’s inclusion at the expense of a bowler.

Akhtar’s Praise for India and its Response to Criticism

Addressing skepticism surrounding his praise for the Indian team, Akhtar reiterated the exceptional nature of India’s performance, particularly in their ability to defend a modest total with a significant margin of victory. Undeterred by criticism, Akhtar reaffirmed his admiration for India’s exceptional cricketing prowess, urging acknowledgment and appreciation of their commendable achievements.

Virat Kohli gives a hand gesture on the field during a match

Shoaib Akhtar’s Perspective on Virat Kohli

Shifting focus, Akhtar’s history of praise extends beyond team performances to individual players, notably including former Indian team captain Virat Kohli. Reminiscing on Kohli’s resilience during a challenging phase in his career, Akhtar highlighted the pivotal role played by Kohli’s consistent century-scoring performances, leading to India’s victories. Recognizing Kohli’s contribution to the team’s success, Akhtar emphasized the significance of Kohli’s monumental centuries during crucial chases, solidifying his status as a crucial asset for the Indian cricket team.

In a comparison between Kohli and the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, Akhtar acknowledged Tendulkar’s status as one of the greatest batsmen while highlighting the challenges Tendulkar faced as a captain. Drawing parallels, Akhtar expressed confidence in Kohli’s eventual resurgence, expecting him to return to his prolific scoring form once he finds his equilibrium.

In summary, Akhtar’s acknowledgment of India’s exceptional performance and his recognition of individual players’ contributions underscore the team’s formidable presence in the 2023 ICC World Cup, setting the stage for a potential historic triumph in the coming days.

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