Virat Kohli smashes Tendulkar, Williamson records to stand alone as World Cup's batting marathon man
Star Indian batsman Virat Kohli achieved significant milestones during the recently concluded ICC ODI World Cup 2023. Virat Kohli surpassed legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar and New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson to bat for the most hours in a single edition of the World Cup. Virat Kohli was the top scorer in World Cup 2023, scoring 765 runs in 11 matches at an impressive average of 95.62. Kohli scored three centuries and six fifties during the tournament. He registered his 50th ODI World Cup in the semi-final against New Zealand.
The 35-year-old surpassed Sachin Tendulkar's record for most centuries in the 50-over format in international cricket. The right-handed batsman also broke Sachin's record for most runs in a single World Cup edition by amassing 673 runs in the 2003 event.
Virat Kohli broke Kane Williamson's record
Virat Kohli set a new record for most hours batting in a single version, spending a total of 19 hours and 56 minutes at the crease. Kohli surpassed the previous record of Kane Williamson, who batted for 18 hours and 51 minutes in the last edition of the World Cup.
Most hours batted in a World Cup edition:
Virat Kohli - 19.56 hrs (2023)
Kane Williamson - 18.51 hrs (2019)
Sachin Tendulkar - 18.50 hrs (2003)
Virat Kohli won Player of the Tournament in World Cup 2023
Virat Kohli scored 54 runs in the World Cup final against Australia, but India failed to win the title. On Sunday, November 19, the Man in Blue was bowled out for 240 runs in Ahmedabad. Australia successfully chased down the target with a brilliant century from Travis Head.
Kohli won the player of the tournament award but left without giving the customary post-match interview. The host, Ravi Shastri, was ready for the interview, but Kohli opted to leave after receiving eye contact from BCCI president Roger Binny.
The Delhi-born cricketer may have participated in his last edition of the ODI World Cup. The veteran batsman will be 38 for the next edition of the ODI World Cup to be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in 2027.