Virat Kohli dramatically fell five runs short of his 49th ODI century, holing out to the deep in the 48th over, but India still completed a four-wicket win over New Zealand in their World Cup 2023 match in Dharamsala.
Earlier this week, Kohli’s Century against Bangladesh was divided over how to organize the strike to reach the milestone. The game was quite close against New Zealand, but Kohlifound himself in a similar scenario. As the number of runs required was less than his 20, the runs settled at the same level as required to achieve his century.
It would have been a monumental milestone. Achieving 100 would put him on par with Sachin Tendulkar for the most centuries in his ODI history (49).
On the first ball of the 47th over, Kohli hit a six off Trent Boult, reducing them to the required 13 and rising from 96 to 88. Two balls later, he hit an over four that was wide for his height. Ravindra Jadeja fielded the last ball of the over, allowing Kohli to proceed to the next shot.
Thursday: Kohli turns down singles, hits a six to win the game and reach his century đŸ’¯
Sunday: Kohli declines a single and falls while trying to hit a six to win the match and complete a century đŸ˜¬
– Wisden (@WisdenCricket) 22. October 2023
In the next over, Kohli controlled two of the first two balls and fielded the third delivery, but Matt Henry defended the line. After the fourth ball (5 needed), Kohli pulled a slow ball towards deep midwicket, but he was unable to cross the distance. Glenn Phillips took an easy catch in the deep to silence the thousands of Indian fans in Dharamsala.
However, two balls later, Jadeja completed the remaining runs and dragged a short ball into the deep square fence. With this win, India pushed New Zealand to the top of the points table.
India will next play against England on October 29 in Lucknow. New Zealand’s next match is against Australia on October 28 at the same venue.
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