Virat Kohli overtakes Kumar Sangakkara to become third-highest run-getter in World Cup history | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: In an impressive display at the World Cup clash against South Africa, Virat Kohli equalled Sachin Tendulkar‘s record for the most centuries in 50-over cricket, securing his place as the third-highest run-scorer in ODI World Cup history, surpassing Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara.
Kohli’s innings in the match against South Africa at Eden Gardens was a masterclass, as he nearly carried his bat throughout, amassing a meticulously crafted 101 runs off 121 balls, adorned with 10 boundaries and a composed strike rate of 83.47.
Having played 34 World Cup matches, Kohli has accumulated 1,573 runs at an impressive average of 58.25, featuring four centuries and 10 fifties. His highest score in the World Cup stands at 107.
While Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the highest number of runs in World Cup history with 2,278 runs, followed by Ricky Ponting with 1,743 runs, Kohli’s remarkable performance has propelled him to the third spot, overtaking Sangakkara’s 1,532 runs in the World Cup.
In the ongoing World Cup, Kohli has displayed exceptional form, scoring 543 runs in eight matches at an outstanding average of 108.60, inclusive of two centuries and four half-centuries. He stands as the second-highest run-getter in the tournament thus far, with his best score being an unbeaten 103.
Kohli’s supremacy against South Africa in ODIs is evident as in his last 15 innings against them, he has amassed a staggering 1,091 runs at an astonishing average of over 109, consisting of five centuries and five fifties.

With his recent century, Kohli is now just one century away from achieving the milestone of 50 ODI centuries, firmly securing his place among the elite in international cricket. His century tally now stands at 79 across all formats: 49 in ODIs, 29 in Tests, and one in T20Is.
Remarkably, Kohli’s record-equalling century was achieved at the same venue where he marked his first international century against Sri Lanka in 2009, creating a symbolic connection to his illustrious career.

Moreover, Kohli has joined an exclusive group of players who have scored centuries on their birthdays, a list that includes legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Vinod Kambli, Sanath Jayasuriya, Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, and Mitchell Marsh.
Notably, Kohli’s century against South Africa, taking 119 balls, equals his joint-slowest century, achieved against Pakistan in 2015 in Adelaide and against South Africa in 2018 in Cape Town.
(With ANI inputs)