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The ongoing ODI World Cup 2023 has been a showcase of cricketing excellence and unforgettable moments. One such standout performer in the tournament has been the Indian cricket team’s batting maestro, Virat Kohli. With an exceptional run of form, Kohli has not only enthralled fans but also earned the admiration of cricket experts and former players for his exceptional outing in the tournament so far.
Recently, Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan also found himself joining the chorus and heaping praises on Kohli. Vaughan even drew intriguing parallels between the Indian batting star and football legend Lionel Messi.
Virat Kohli’s exceptional performance
Kohli’s performance in the ODI World Cup 2023 has been nothing short of spectacular, and he has played a major role in Team India’s unbeaten streak. The right-handed batsman has set the stage on fire with his remarkable consistency and unwavering determination.
After five games in the tournament, Kohli finds himself as the second-highest run-scorer with an impressive tally of 354 runs. His innings have included a century and three half-centuries, making him the standout performer for India in this campaign. Notably, during this World Cup, Kohli also achieved a significant milestone by becoming the fastest player to reach 26,000 international runs.
Kohli on verge of equalling Sachin Tendulkar’s record
Kohli’s insatiable hunger for runs and records continues to drive him, and he is now just one century away from equalling the legendary Sachin Tendulkar‘s record of most ODI centuries.
Often referred to as the “God of Cricket,” Sachin holds the record with 49 centuries, while Kohli has amassed an incredible 48 ODI centuries. The cricketing world eagerly awaits the moment when Kohli adds another century to his already illustrious career.
Also READ: AB de Villiers reveals why Rohit Sharma can lift the World Cup 2023 trophy for India
Michael Vaughan’s praise for Kohli
In a recent interaction on the Club Prairie Fire podcast, England’s veteran batter Vaughan hailed Kohli as the best when it comes to chasing targets. He expressed confidence in the 34-year-old’s ability to score his 49th ODI century before the final and even speculated that his 50th century might arrive in the summit clash.
Vaughan draws parallels between Kohli and Lionel Messi
Vaughan’s admiration for Kohli didn’t stop here as he further went on to compare the former India captain to the football star Messi. Vaughan pointed out that big players of such stature guide their teams to victory in crucial tournaments. He recalled Messi’s journey with the Argentina national team in their FIFA World Cup 2022 victory and emphasized that he sees a similar narrative for Kohli, believing that he can lead India to victory in this edition of the World Cup.
“Virat Kohli in the chase, there’s no one better. It wouldn’t surprise me if he gets a 49th before the final, and his 50th in the final. It’s written in the stars. I actually put it on social media – great, great players always arrive in World Cups. It defines their legacies. Look at the footballers, Lionel Messi had to win the World Cup for Argentina, and he did it. Virat has already won a World Cup but you just feel he’s going to drive the Indian team all the way,” said Vaughan.
Kohli’s heroics in India’s last match against New Zealand
As far as Kohli’s recent performance is concerned, the Delhi-born cricketer’s brilliance was on full display as India faced New Zealand in Dharamsala. He scored an agonizingly close 95 runs, narrowly missing out on a well-deserved century. His innings came at a crucial juncture in the match and further solidified his reputation as one of the best chasers in the game.
