Virat Kohli ends 1214 days of drought and defeats Ricky Ponting

Virat Kohli’s colleague Ishan Kishan may have grabbed most of the headlines for his stellar individual performance in the third and final ODI between India and Bangladesh, but former skipper Kohli himself won most internationals. He produced an amazing punch that overtook Australia’s great Ricky Ponting in the match for centuries.

Kishan was the star of the show for his quickfire 210 that helped India post a massive score of 409/8 from their 50 overs in Chattogram, but Kohli’s 44th-ODI century and innings of 113 was also of great significance as the visitors cruised to an impressive 227-run triumph.

It was Kohli’s first ODI century for more than three years, with the 34-year-old transferring his excellent recent form from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to the 50-over format in eye-catching style.

Virat Kohli’s innings featured 11 boundaries and two giant sixes as the right-hander broke a 1214-day drought when he reached triple figures for the first time since he scored 114* against the West Indies in Port of Spain on August 14 in 2019.

It was also Kohli’s 72nd century overall in international cricket, helping the former India skipper surpass Ponting (71) on the list for most individual centuries.

India legend Sachin Tendulkar is way out in front on this list with 100 international centuries, with Kohli (72) and Ponting (71) now holding on to second and third places respectively.

And Kohli will have the chance to move even closer to Tendulkar’s mark and add to his 44 ODI centuries if selected for India’s separate three-match ODI series at home against Sri Lanka and New Zealand next month.

Kishan credited Kohli’s experience for helping him to his own milestone on Saturday and the pair could form an imposing partnership in India’s star-studded top-order ahead of next year’s 50-over World Cup.

“Batting with Virat bhai… he has such a good sense of the game,” Kishan told the host broadcaster on Saturday.

“He was spot on with which bowlers I needed to select (target). 

“He was calming me down when I was in my 90s. I wanted to bring it up with a six, but he said to get it in singles as it’s my first.”

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