IND vs AFG: Virat Kohli Equals Rohit Sharma's Tally Of Scoring Most 50-Plus Scores For India In ODI World Cups

Ace Indian cricketer Virat Kohli equalled skipper Rohit Sharma’s tally in the list of the most fifty-plus scores for India in the history of the World Cups in the 50-over format. Virat Kohli achieved this milestone during the match against Australia in the ICC World Cup 2023.

Virat Kohli scored 85 runs off 116 balls at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, October 8. The right-handed batter added a 165-run partnership for the fourth wicket with KL Rahul, rescuing the team from 2/3 to chase down the target of 200 runs.

Virat Kohli Equals Rohit Sharma’s Record

Openers Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer were dismissed for ducks. Virat Kohli took some time to settle at the crease after the early collapse. Kohli reached the half-century mark in 75 balls, his second half-century in World Cup chases.

Sachin Tendulkar tops the batting chart for the most half-centuries in ICC ODI World Cups with 21 fifties in 45 matches. He is followed by Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma with nine each. Mohammad Azharuddin and Rahul Dravid secure the fourth and fifth positions.

Most Fifty-Plus Scores For Indis In World Cups

• Sachin Tendulkar – 21 in 45 matches
• Virat Kohli – 9 in 27 matches
• Rohit Sharma – 9 in 18 matches
• Mohammad Azharuddin – 8 in 30 matches
• Rahul Dravid – 8 in 22 matches

The 34-year-old also broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most runs by an Indian in limited-overs ICC events (World Cup, T20 World Cup, and Champions Trophy). He scored 2785 runs with an impressive average of 65.23, including two centuries and 25 fifties.

Speaking at the post-match presentation, KL Rahul revealed how Virat Kohli helped him adapt to the conditions after India lost three early wickets. Rahul said that Kohli advised him to approach the situation like a test match.

“Virat said there’s big help in the wicket, and [we] just have to play proper shots and play like it’s Test cricket for some time and see where it goes. That was mostly the plan, and happy that we could do the job for the team.”

“I was just trying to catch my breath as I just had a shower. I thought I would get a good half an hour – [or] an hour’s – break, put the feet up and just rest up. But I was out there in no time, so there was a bit of rush. I was just trying to get my breath back,” he said.

Virat Kohli will be next seen in action when the Men in Blue take on Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Wednesday, October 11.

Also read: IND vs AFG: Virat Kohli Breaks Sachin Tendulkar’s All-Time Record To Become Leading Run Getter For India In ICC Tournaments