Bhubaneswar: An unbeaten 101 by Virat Kohli helped India pile up a total of 326/5 in 50 overs in the ICC ODI World Cup against South Africa being played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday.
After winning the toss, captain Rohit Sharma elected to bat first and posted 62 runs along with Shubman Gill for the opening wicket before falling to Kagiso Rabada. Rohit scored 40 off 24 balls as the 62-run opening stand came to an end in sixth over.
Kohli on his 35th birthday notched up his 49th ODI century, equaling the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s record. He remained unbeaten at 101. Kohli helped India finish the powerplay on 91 for 1 which is also the second-most runs conceded by the Proteas in the first 10 overs in the tournament.
Keshav Maharaj cleaned up the well-set Gill on 23 with in 11th over. Then Shreyas Iyer joined Kohli at the crease and started building a partnership.
The Proteas bowled well in the middle phase of the match restricting Indian batsmen from playing powerful strokes. After scoring 91 in the first powerplay, the hosts managed to score only 33 runs in next 10 overs.
Then Iyer played some good shots to increase the average and bring up his fifty off 64 balls. As soon as both brought up their respective milestones, they started scoring freely.
Iyer miscued a good length all to fall for 77 off 87 balls. KL Rahul joined Kohli but struggled to get going and fell on eight while trying to clear the fence. Suryakumar Yadav played a very good cameo of 22 off 14 balls before falling to a brilliant catch by Quinton de Kock.
Ravindra Jadeja scored a quick 29 not out off 15 balls to take India to 326 at the end of 50 overs.
Brief scores:
India 326/5 in 50 overs (Virat Kohli 101 not out, Shreyas Iyer 77, Rohit Sharma 40; Keshav Maharaj 1-30, Kagiso Rabada 1-48) against South Africa.
