Indian batsman Virat Kohli broke the 49-ton mark in the 50-over format set by compatriot Sachin Tendulkar in the Cricket World Cup semi-final against New Zealand; The 35-year-old brought up the milestone century from 106 balls; watch live on Sky Sports Cricket

Virat Kohli scored a record 50th One Day International century during India’s Cricket World Cup semi-final against New Zealand in Mumbai.

The batter equaled Indian icon Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 tons in the 50-over-50 format during the host nation’s win over South Africa in the group stage on November 5 in Kolkata.

Kohli followed up that birthday tone by hitting a new record 50 centuries in Wednesday’s knockout clash with 2019 World Cup runners-up New Zealand after India opted to bat first, reaching the milestone in his 279th ODI innings off 106 balls.

Batting at No.3, the right-hander took India to 71-1 in the ninth over after dismissing Rohit Sharma for 47 and formed part of a second-wicket stand of 93 with Shubman Gill before the opener had to retire injured in the 79th over.

At the time of his record-breaking century, Kohli and Shreyas Iyer, who crossed the half-century mark in just 35 balls, were part of an unbeaten century stand as the hosts looked to set up a big target for New Zealand. chase.

His hundred included eight fours and one six and he increased it by making two runs in the 42nd over with a deft swing to the leg side.

After breaking the record, Kohli began to fade and was eventually dismissed for 117 off 113 balls with six overs remaining from India, caught in the deep by Devon Conway off Tim Southee. He averages over 58 with the bat at a strike rate of over 93 in ODIs.

Kohli’s teammate Sharma is third on the all-time list behind Tendulkar with 31 hundreds, followed by former Australian batsman Ricky Ponting (30) and former Sri Lankan opener Sanath Jayasuriya (28).

The highest rated English batsman is Joe Root at 16.

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