Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer Deserve All The Praise : Gautam Gambhir

In the ODI World Cup clash at the renowned Eden Gardens, India showcased their dominance, overpowering South Africa with a resounding 243-run victory. Spearheading this triumph was the contemporary cricket icon, Virat Kohli, who displayed his brilliance by notching his 49th ODI century, thereby equaling the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s remarkable record of the most centuries in this format.

India now stands at the top of the table with 8 wins out of 8 matches that they have played so far in the tournament. India is at the top of the table both point wise as well as through net run rate, the only group stage match is to be played against Netherlands.

Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer Deserve All The Praise : Gautam Gambhir

Kohli found a capable partner in Shreyas Iyer, who exhibited an impressive performance, contributing 77 runs off 87 balls. Together, they forged a formidable partnership, amassing a century stand for the third wicket. This collaboration guided India to a formidable total of 326/5. The foundation for this imposing score was laid by skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, who initiated the innings with a blazing opening stand, accumulating 62 runs in less than six overs.

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Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian opener, lauded Kohli and Iyer’s stellar performance, emphasizing the challenging conditions they encountered throughout the match. According to Gambhir, the duo’s commendable display at the two-paced Eden track, initially conducive for batting but progressively slowing down, deserved higher praise than Rohit and Gill. Gambhir highlighted the duo’s exceptional ability to adapt to the changing conditions, especially against Proteas spinner Keshav Maharaj, who posed a significant challenge. Despite Maharaj conceding only 30 runs, the pivotal aspect was his solitary wicket, a testament to Kohli and Iyer’s skill in neutralizing his threat. Their strategic approach forced South Africa to reintroduce their fast bowlers into the attack.

Virat Kohli’s 49th ODI century was a testament to his exceptional cricketing prowess, as he showcased his ability to perform under varying conditions. His achievement not only elevated him to the league of cricketing legends but also bolstered India’s position in the tournament. The match not only highlighted Kohli’s individual brilliance but also underscored the importance of teamwork, with Iyer’s significant contribution playing a crucial role in India’s commanding victory.

As the cricketing world witnessed Kohli’s historic feat, it became evident that his exceptional skills and determination continue to propel India forward in international cricket. With this 49th century, Kohli not only etched his name in the annals of cricketing history but also inspired a new generation of cricketers. His remarkable achievement serves as a testament to his unwavering dedication and unmatched talent, solidifying his status as one of the greatest batsmen of all time.

With Virat, Rohit, Shreyas, Shubman, Jadeja, Shami, Siraj, Bumrah, and Kuldeep all firing it looks hard to imagine any team beating India in the current form that they have. With this the hopes of all the cricket fans are riding at an all time high hoping India would bring back the cup home after 12 years of wait since the triumph of 2011.

India play Netherlands on 12th November 2023 as their last fixture from the group stages.