World Cup 2023: Hope Virat Kohli gets his 49th ODI hundred on birthday, says Mohammad Rizwan

Pakistan wicket-keeper bat Mohammad Rizwan is hopeful that Virat Kohli gets his 49th ODI century on his birthday. Kohli will turn 35 on November 5 when India will take on South Africa at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata and he would like to celebrate his birthday in style.

Before that game, India will also face Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Thursday. Kohli has scored 48 ODI centuries in his glorious ODI career but missed out on a chance to match Sachin Tendulkar’s tally of 49 centuries against New Zealand as he was dismissed after scoring 95 runs.

The talisman was dismissed for a duck against England and he would want to get a big score against Sri Lanka.

The veteran has scored 354 runs in six matches of the ongoing World Cup 2023 at an impressive average of 88.50 and a strike rate of 88.50. Earlier in the tournament, Kohli scored a majestic knock of 85 runs against Australia under pressure and also scored a fine century against Bangladesh.

Rizwan said while talking to India Today, “It is nice to know that his birthday is on 5th of November. Wish him all the best and a happy birthday, though I don’t celebrate mine and I don’t believe in that. Wishing a great one to Virat. I hope he can get his 49th ODI hundred on his birthday. And I wish him that He could also get his 50th ODI century in this World Cup.”

Kohli has been performing consistently for the team and he is going to hold the key in the remaining matches. The linchpin has been superb while chasing in the ongoing World Cup.

On the other hand, India has come up with a collective show and they have won all of their six matches to sit at the top of the points table in the ongoing World Cup.

Rohit Sharma has scored 398 runs whereas Jasprit Bumrah has bagged 14 wickets in six matches. India will next take on Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Thursday.