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OTD In 2009: When Virat Kohli Proved Himself As Tendulkar's Successor With 1st ODI Hundred

Virat Kohli scored his maiden ODI century [Source: @yaarbholi/X.com]Virat Kohli scored his maiden ODI century [Source: @yaarbholi/X.com]

On December 24, 2009, a young and determined Virat Kohli etched his name into cricket history by scoring his first-ever ODI century. This milestone was achieved in a high-pressure match against Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. It marked the beginning of Kohli’s incredible journey to becoming one of the greatest batters in cricket.

Sri Lanka batted first and put up a massive total of 315 runs, thanks to Upul Tharanga’s sparkling 118 and a solid half-century from Kumar Sangakkara. India faced a daunting chase, and their start wasn’t promising. Early wickets of legends Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag left the team struggling at 23/2.

Kohli and Gambhir’s Partnership

This is where Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir stepped in to rescue the team. Together, they formed a monumental 224-run partnership for the third wicket. While Gambhir remained unbeaten with a heroic 150, Kohli showcased his class with a stunning 107 runs off 114 balls. His innings included 11 boundaries and a six, a clear display of his emerging potential.

Kohli’s maiden century came in his 14th ODI match, just over a year after making his international debut. It was a pressure-filled innings, but his calmness and precision stood out. He played a pivotal role in stabilising the innings and steering India towards a seven-wicket victory.

Interestingly, Kohli scored his first ODI century at the same venue where, years later, he would achieve his 49th ODI century during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

Virat Kohli’s maiden century was more than just a personal milestone. It was a glimpse of the greatness to come. Over the years, he has transformed into one of the most reliable and dominant players in world cricket, amassing a staggering 50 ODI centuries to date.