Cricket World Cup: Virat Kohli celebrates after scoring his 50th ODI ton.© AFP
Virat Kohli climbed the ‘Mount 50’ on Wednesday and former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly was in no doubt that the batting star has many more miles to go in his career. Kohli made his 50th ODI hundred during the World Cup semi-final against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium, putting his idol Sachin Tendulkar one ahead. “It will take a lot of effort to get past this and he is not done yet. It is a phenomenal achievement,” Ganguly said while interacting with reporters at the Eden Gardens.
The 35-year-old reached the milestone in the 42nd over off the bowling of Kiwis pacer Lockie Ferguson as India set New Zealand a staggering target of 398 in the last four matches in Mumbai.
Ganguly praised the Indian team for playing an amazing brand of cricket. “India is playing incredible cricket at the moment. Be it Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer or the bowlers.
“It is a complete side, there is immense talent in this team. But we have to take one step at a time,” Ganguly said.
‘Nothing wrong with Wankhede field’
An on-field controversy threatens to cloud India’s World Cup semi-final performance somewhat, with reports claiming the hosts changed Wankhede’s surface at the last minute and opted for a ‘slow route’. Ganguly refused to agree and said the pitch was “fair”.
“It seems like a good field they are playing on. It’s the same for both teams. There is nothing wrong with the Wankhede field,” Ganguly said.
Ganguly, a former BCCI president, was also seen inspecting the Eden strip where the second semi-final of the World Cup between Australia and South Africa will be played on Thursday.
Ganguly observed both ends of the field and then checked the firmness of the ground.
The pitch on offer for the match between Australia and South Africa is also a used pitch on which England faced Pakistan in a group match.
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