Birthday special: Virat Kohli hits century, equals Sachin’s record of 49 tons; India cross 300-run mark against South Africa

Continuing with his high-risk game, skipper Rohit Sharma gave India a flourishing start with a 24-ball 40

Indian batter Virat Kohli during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 match between India and South Africa at the Eden Gardens, in Kolkata, on November 5, 2023. PTI

PTI

Kolkata, November 5

Star batter Virat Kohli, celebrating his 35th birthday, struck a century equalling Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 tons during the World Cup match against South Africa, here on Sunday.

Meanwhile, India were five down after Suryakumar Yadav departed for 22 in the 46th over. Earlier, KL Rahul (8) and Shreyas Iyer (77) departed in the 43rd and 37th over, respectively.

Earlier, continuing with his high-risk game, Rohit Sharma gave India a flourishing start but South Africa pegged the hosts back by removing the captain and his opening partner Shubhman Gill.

Rohit hit a 24-ball 40 and shared a 62-run opening partnership with Shubman Gill (23).

The flurry of shots from Rohit’s bat saw India complete 50 runs in just 4.3 overs as the skipper smashed two sixes and six boundaries during his entertaining innings.

However, Rohit could not build on the solid start with pacer Kagiso Rabada taking his wicket. Temba Bavuma hung on to a fast-travelling shot after Rohit could not get enough elevation to clear the fielder at mid-off. The Proteas skipper swooped to his right to take a great catch.

Gill departed soon, flummoxed by a superb delivery from spinner Keshav Maharaj in the 11th over, which landed just outside leg, turned slightly to beat the young batting sensation and clip the bails.

For a moment Gill was in disbelief, not knowing if it was a stumping or he had been clean-bowled. However, TV referral showed the ball had indeed clipped the bails.

Earlier, India won the toss and elected to bat in the top-of-the-table World Cup clash against South Africa. Hosts India, the only unbeaten side in the tournament, are unchanged.

South Africa, on the other hand, have brought in spinner Tabraiz Shamsi in place of pacer Gerald Coetzee.