England Vs India, 2018 1st ODI - Rohit Sharma And Virat Kohli Join Elite List With Century Stand

Contrary to a billion expectations that Nottingham would witness an absolute thriller. The first One-day International (ODI) of the three-match series turned out to be a one-sided affair. Electing to bowl first after winning the toss, Team India skipper Virat Kohli brought back his wicket-taking bowler Kuldeep Yadav into the scheme of things owing to the playing XI.

It barely took Kuldeep time to prove his class, as he yet again, ran through England’s batting lineup. Very much like the first T20I at Old Trafford, the duo of Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root were trapped plumb in front.

Thanks to Kuldeep’s record breaking spell of six for 25, England were restricted to a below par score of 268 on a track as flat as Nottingham and with extremely short boundaries on all sides, the chase didn’t turn out to be an issue for the Men in Blue.

As expected this is how things exactly folded out as the famed top three made the chase look like a walk in the park.

Virat Kohli, coming in at number three looked elegant from his very first delivery, and the cover drives he played in the middle were just a treat to the eyes.

Carrying on his unparalleled run of form from Bristol, Rohit Sharma had another party in the middle.

But, the opener raked up his 18^th ODI century, as the Mumbai Indians (MI) captain was utterly ruthless. Kohli too chipped in with a decent knock of 75 to guide the run chase.

En route their stand of 167, the duo entered an elite list. Sharma and Kohli now have 14 ODI century stands to their name. Subsequently, the second only in all time Indian list for the most number of hundred partnerships by a pair.

Also, the list is headed by the ever magical pair of Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly. Both have a fine tally of 26 ODI century stands while being as the most successful opening pair of all time.

With their 14th century stand together, Virat Kohli and Rohit went past the tally of Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. Tendulkar and Sehwag had 13 stands to their name.

Most century stands by an Indian pair in ODI’s.

1. Sachin Tendulkar – Sourav Ganguly – 26
2. Rohit Sharma – Virat Kohli – 14
3. Virender Sehwag – Sachin Tendulkar – 13