New Delhi: Virat Kohli's 138 powered India to 299/8 in 50 overs against South Africa in their fourth One-Day International (ODI) at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium here on Thursday.
Kohli, who scored his 23rd ODI ton, was involved in two 100-plus partnerships with Ajinkya Rahane (45) and Suresh Raina (53).
For the visitors, opening pacers Kagison Rabada and Dale Steyn took three wickets each, while Chris Morris picked up one.
Team India's vice captain in ODIs Virat Kohli finally scored an ODI century after a long wait of 13 innings.
Kohli came to bat on no. 3, after the fall of India's opening batsman Rohit Sharma and was involved in building a crucial partnership with Ajinkya Rahane and helping Team India reach a big score. He scored 138 runs from 140 deliveries before being dismissed by South African pacer Rabada.
The last time he scored a century in One Day Internationals was against arch rivals Pakistan during the World cup 2015 at Adelaide.
After his 100, Kohli punched his hands in the air with joy, took the helmet off and raised his bat. Congratulating for the feat, his batting partner Suresh Raina gave him a warm hug. He was on batting on 95 runs and reached the three figure mark with a six.
Virender Sehwag, who announced his retirement a couple of days ago has many times reached the three figure mark by hitting a six. So it can be said that it was an apt tribute from Kohli to Sehwag.
Kohli reached another landmark with his century today at Chennai during the fourth ODI against South Africa. Kohli now has the most number of centuries by an Indian cricketer after Sachin Tendulkar in ODIs. He broke the record of Sourav Ganguly who has twenty two ODI centuries.
Kohli reached his twenty-third century in the 37.2 over of the match. The bowler bowled a flighted delivery on the leg stump, Kohli reached to the pitch of the ball and lofted it over long-on.
