Virat Kohli’s maiden ODI century was a moment that will be remembered for years to come. It was a knock that announced the arrival of a truly special batsman, and it set the stage for a career that has seen Kohli become one of the greatest batsmen in the history of the game.
The match was against Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on December 24, 2009. Kohli came into the match with a reputation as a talented young batsman, but he had yet to make a major impact in international cricket. However, he quickly changed all that with a scintillating innings that helped India to a seven-wicket victory.
Kohli started slowly, but he gradually found his rhythm as the innings progressed. He played some exquisite shots, both off the front foot and the back foot, and he never looked in trouble. He reached his century off 108 balls, and he finished the innings with 107 runs to his name.
Kohli’s century was a masterclass in batting. He showed all of his skills, including his timing, power, and temperament. He also showed his ability to adapt to different conditions, as he played the ball late and with great control on a slow pitch.
Kohli’s century was a watershed moment in his career. It was the moment that he truly announced himself to the world as a world-class batsman. It also helped to cement his place in the Indian team, and it set him on the path to becoming one of the greatest batsmen of all time.
- The match was the fourth ODI of the five-match series between India and Sri Lanka.
- India were chasing a target of 316 runs after Sri Lanka had posted a total of 315 for 6 in their 50 overs.
- Kohli opened the batting with Gautam Gambhir, and the two put on a partnership of 182 runs for the first wicket.
- Kohli scored 107 runs off 108 balls, including 11 fours and 2 sixes.
- Gambhir scored 150 runs off 137 balls, including 14 fours.
- India won the match by 7 wickets with 21 balls to spare.
- Kohli was named the Man of the Match for his performance.
The match was played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, which is one of the most iconic cricket grounds in the world. The pitch was slow and low, which made it difficult for the batsmen to score runs. However, Kohli and Gambhir were able to adapt to the conditions and play some excellent shots.
Kohli’s century was a special knock, but it was also a team effort. Gambhir played a crucial role in the partnership, and the Indian bowlers did a good job of restricting Sri Lanka to a manageable total.
The match was a turning point in Kohli’s career. It was the moment that he truly announced himself to the world as a world-class batsman. It also helped to cement his place in the Indian team, and it set him on the path to becoming one of the greatest batsmen of all time.
In the years since his maiden ODI century, Kohli has gone on to achieve incredible things. He has scored over 12,000 runs in ODI cricket, including 46 centuries. He is also the current captain of the Indian team, and he is widely regarded as one of the best batsmen in the world.
Kohli’s maiden ODI century was a truly special knock, and it is a moment that will be remembered for years to come. It was the moment that a star was born, and it was the beginning of a truly remarkable career.