Virat Kohli Aims for Historic Hat-Trick in Final ODI Against South Africa
Final ODI Set for Visakhapatnam
The concluding ODI between India and South Africa is scheduled to be held at the Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. This venue has been particularly favorable for Indian cricket star Virat Kohli, who is on the verge of achieving a remarkable hat-trick of centuries in this series.
Kohli's Pursuit of a Hat-Trick
With the series tied at 1-1, the third ODI will take place in Visakhapatnam. Kohli has already amassed 237 runs in the series, including a stunning 135 runs off 120 balls in Ranchi and a more measured 102 runs off 93 balls in Raipur. He is now aiming to secure a hat-trick of centuries.
Should he succeed, Kohli would become the first Indian player to achieve two hat-tricks of ODI centuries, and only the second overall, following Pakistan's Babar Azam. His previous hat-trick occurred against the West Indies in 2018, where he scored 140, 157*, and 107 in the first three ODIs.
Kohli's Success at Visakhapatnam
Kohli has previously been named 'Player of the Series' after scoring 453 runs in five innings, averaging 151.00 with a strike rate nearing 113. At Visakhapatnam, he has accumulated 587 runs in seven innings, boasting an impressive average of 97.83 and a strike rate of 100.34, which includes three centuries and two fifties, with a top score of 157*. This is the highest run tally he has achieved at any Indian venue.
Memorable Performance Against Australia
One of Kohli's standout performances at Visakhapatnam occurred in 2010 when he scored 118 runs off 121 balls, featuring 11 fours and a six. This innings was crucial in helping India chase down a target of 290 runs against Australia after a shaky start at 35/2.
Approaching a Significant Milestone
Kohli is just 90 runs shy of joining cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar (34,357 runs) and Kumar Sangakkara (28,016 runs) as the third player to reach 28,000 runs in international cricket. Across 555 international matches, he has scored 27,910 runs at an average of 52.46, including 84 centuries and 144 fifties in 622 innings, with a personal best of 254*.
Kohli's Impressive ODI Performance This Year
In 12 ODIs this year, Kohli has scored 586 runs in 12 innings, averaging 58.60 with a strike rate of 92.72. His performance includes three centuries and three fifties, with a top score of 135.
Team Line-ups
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