Virat Kohli was so close to script history as he was cruising towards his equaling 49th ODI century but a lose shot ended his stay in the middle on 88. The batting maverick looked in total control and was on the cusp of equaling the legendary tally of legendary India batter Sachin Tendulkar of joint-most centuries in One Day Internationals – 49, but missed the mark by 12 runs.
The 34-year-old was off to a shaky start but went to take control and played a fine knock before playing a loose shot off Dilshan Madushanka as Pathum Nissanka took a fine catch at short cover.
ICC World Cup: Schedule | Results | Points Table | Most Runs | Most Wickets
Tendulkar took 451 innings to score his 49th ton which came against Bangladesh, while Kohli is expected to break his record in less than 300 innings.
Meanwhile, Kohli came out to bat in the first over itself as skipper Rohit Sharma suffered a rare failure this World Cup and was dismissed on four on the second ball of the innings.
The 34-year-old was off the mark on his fourth delivery with a fine boundary on the fine leg. He was dropped on 10 but held his ground strong and stitched a solid 189-run stand for the second wicket alongside Shubman Gill who also missed the century and was dismissed on 92 by Madushanka.
The fans on social media reacted after Kohli missed the golden opportunity to equal Tendulkar’s historic tally.
Man Virat Kohli has already missed 5 centuries in this World Cup.This hurts more than breakup pic.twitter.com/QsFUknBDjj
— Kevin (@imkevin149) November 2, 2023
85,95,88 of Virat Kohli will hurt forever pic.twitter.com/wCcB8lkVkE— leisha (@katyxkohli17) November 2, 2023
Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill both missed century pic.twitter.com/1wYhM8IFCb— Dennis (@DenissForReal) November 2, 2023
Virat Kohli after everyone makes fun of him for scoring a hundred pic.twitter.com/y09E4bLEDk— Ben Gardner (@Ben_Wisden) November 2, 2023
Wankhede stadium appreciation for Virat Kohli is incredible >>>#INDvsSLpic.twitter.com/nzgtaW2rph— Haroon (@HaroonM33120350) November 2, 2023
85, 95 And Now 88…!!!Three Hundreds Missed In This WC #ViratKohli Why Do You Do This Man…!!! #INDvSLpic.twitter.com/VL0pgPaBjS— Priyanshu (@PriyanshuVK18K) November 2, 2023
Me deleting all my draft memes about Virat Kohli’s century – pic.twitter.com/luW0X0ZMIM— Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) November 2, 2023
Virat Kohli has bottled 3 centuries in this World Cup #ViratKohli #INDvSL #IndiavsSriLanka #WorldCup2023 pic.twitter.com/ViUlJQeP0v— Saurav (@im_Saurav_18) November 2, 2023
Virat Kohli in World Cups in the last 15 innings:82(77), 77(65), 67(63), 72(82), 66(76), 26(27), 34*(41), 1(6), 85(116), 55*(56), 16(18), 103*(97), 95(104), 0(9) & 88(94).
Out of 15 Virat Kohli 8 he missed his century pic.twitter.com/3NdrfDu8xw
— Priyanshu (@PriyanshuVK18K) November 2, 2023
Kohli was dismissed for an 80-plus score for the third time in this tournament as earlier he scored 85 against Australia and 95 versus New Zealand.
IND vs SL Live Score ODI World Cup 2023
Meanwhile, despite missing the ton, Kohli became the batsman with the second-most 50-plus scores in the tournament. Kohli registered his fourth 50-plus score in this World Cup with a fine knock against Sri Lanka at Wankhede Stadium.
Kohli scored a run-a-ball half-century and pipped Rohit Sharma, Kumar Sangakkara and Shakib Al Hasan in an elite list.
Most 50+ scores in ODI World Cups
21 – Sachin Tendulkar (44 innings)
13 – Virat Kohli (33 innings)*
12 – Rohit Sharma (24 innings)
12 – Kumar Sangakkara (35 innings)
12 – Shakib Al Hasan (35 innings)
Earlier, Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis won the toss and elected to field against the unchanged Indian side.
Sri Lanka made one change from the side that suffered a seven-wicket defeat against Afghanistan, with leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha in for Dhananjaya de Silva.
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