Virat Kohli blasts record fifth consecutive fifty in 2019 World Cup, 54th overall in clash vs England

Virat Kohli continued his magnificent form in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup as he blasted his fifth consecutive fifty-plus score in the tournament to keep India alive in their chase of 338 against England in Edgbaston on Sunday. Kohli, who had blasted 82,77,67 and 72 in the clashes against Australia, Pakistan, Afghanistan and West Indies, continued his great run as India were pegged back by some disciplined bowling from England after Jonny Bairstow smashed a century and Ben Stokes blasted 79 to help the hosts reach a huge score. Kohli and Rohit Sharma shared a 100-run partnership after KL Rahul was dismissed for 0 by Chris Woakes.

Kohli became the second batsman in World Cup history after Steve Smith to achieve this feat. Smith had smashed five fifty-plus scores consecutively in the 2015 World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand. Smith blasted 95, 72, 65, 105 and 56* as Australia won the title for the fifth time. Smith became the only player to score over fifty in the quarterfinal, semi-final and the final. In the semis, he blasted 105 against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The Indian cricket team skipper would be determined to break his run of consecutive fifties and score his first century in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Kohli has already gone past 11000 runs and he became the quickest to the feat during the game against Pakistan in Old Trafford. India needs a win against England in order to seal their spot in the semi-final while Eoin Morgan's side would be hoping to stay alive in the race for the playoffs by winning both their games against India and New Zealand. 

Kohli and Rohit would be hoping to create history in the game against England as India attempt the highest successful chase in the history of the World Cups. The highest chase in World Cups is 329 which was achieved by Ireland against England in Bangalore during the 2011 edition.

When Kohli went past 11000 runs, the right-hander broke the previous record held by Sachin Tendulkar, which was just 276 innings during the Kanpur ODI against England in 2002. Consider the enormity of Kohli’s feat. Tendulkar took 276 innings while Kohli achieved it in just 222 innings, 54 innings quicker. The average of Kohli is over 60 while Tendulkar had an average of close to 45 at this stage. Kohli joined the likes of Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Sourav Ganguly and Jacques Kallis to reach 11000 runs in under 300 innings.

The consistency of Kohli is remarkable. In October 2018, when he had played 205 innings, he had reached 10000 runs during the series against West Indies. Eight months later and 17 innings later, Kohli blasted a further 1000 runs as he continued to enhance his reputation as the ultimate run-making machine in the world.

Kohli is already the fastest to 8000, 9000 and 10,000 runs in ODIs and he added yet another feather to his cap with his entry into the 11000. Rohit reached his milestone by cutting Shadab to the deep point fence for a single to bring up his century off just 85 balls. Rohit continued to rake in the records as he broke Virat Kohli's mark of the highest individual score in World Cups against Pakistan, which was 107 in the 2015 World Cup in Adelaide.

RELATED

HIGHLIGHTS

• Virat Kohli scored his fifth consecutive fifty-plus score.
• Steve Smith achieved this feat in the 2015 World Cup.
• India is one win away from reaching 2019 World Cup semifinal.