IND vs NZ: Virat Kohli hits 69th ODI half-century, becomes leading run-scorer in World Cup 2023

India superstar batter Virat Kohli completed his 69th half-century in one-day internationals to become the leading run-scorer in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. Kohli brought up his fifty while chasing 274 runs against New Zealand at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala.

Kohli brought up his half-century in the 33rd over by dragging Santner for a single towards deep square leg. Kohli brought up his milestone in 60 deliveries.

This was Kohli’s 69th fifty in ODIs and his third in this World Cup. Kohli overtook Mohammad Rizwan of Pakistan and India captain Rohit Sharma to become the leading run-getter in the 2023 World Cup.

Kohli walked in to bat when India lost its first wicket in the form of Rohit in the 12th over. Soon after Rohit’s departure, Shubman Gill followed his skipper back to the pavilion, losing his wicket in the 14th over.

Kohli then formed a 52-run stand with Shreyas Iyer



to settle India’s innings after two quick dismissals. Kohli played the role of the anchor with Shreyas as the aggressor in their partnership. However, Shreyas couldn’t hold onto his wicket and was dismissed after scoring 33 runs off 29 balls at the hands of Trent Boult.

Kohli then stitched a crucial 54-run partnership with KL Rahul to bring India closer to the 274-run target. Both Rahul and Kohli looked settled in the middle but a tricky delivery from spinner Mitchell Santner caught Rahul LBW in the 33rd over to dismiss him for the first time in this tournament.

In the first innings, Daryll Mitchell became the first New Zealand batter to score a century against India in ODI World Cups after 48 years, guiding the Kiwis to a 273-run total in Dharamshala.

Mohammed Shami was the pick of the Indian bowlers, claiming a five-wicket haul and becoming the first Indian bowler to pick multiple five-wicket hauls in ODI World Cups.