AHMEDABAD: India’s run-scoring machine Virat Kohli has been named the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Player of the Tournament.
Kohli’s brilliance with the bat was a defining feature of the tournament, with India’s number three scoring at least a half-century in nine of his 11 innings.
His 765 runs in the tournament is the most ever scored by an individual batter at a men’s Cricket World Cup, surpassing the previous record set by Sachin Tendulkar, who hit 673 in the 2003 tournament.
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Kohli finished with an average of 95.62 and a strike rate of 90.31 in the tournament, hitting three centuries along the way – against Bangladesh and South Africa in the league stage and then once more against New Zealand in the semi-finals.
That third century took Kohli’s career tally to 50 One Day International hundreds, making him the leading century-maker in the history of the format.
Virat Kohli broke Tendulkar’s long-standing record at the ‘Little Master’s’ home ground, the Wankhede Stadium, and said that it was the perfect moment.
Read More: Virat Kohli equals Sachin Tendulkar’s record of most ODI centuries
“This all feels like a dream,” Kohli said after his 117 steered India to the final.
“If I could paint the perfect picture, I would want this to be the picture. My life partner, the person I love the most, she is sitting there. My hero Sachin is sitting there. I was able to get the 50th in front of them and these fans in such a historic venue. It’s amazing.”
Kohli finished his tournament with yet another half-century, hitting 54 from 63 balls against Australia in the final. But his efforts proved in vain as India missed out on victory, falling at the final hurdle.
India enjoyed a dream run in the league-stage and the knockout-stage, but their winning streak ended after Australia humbled them in the marquee contest.
Despite losing in the final, India’s World Cup campaign was laced with some brilliant batting and bowling prowess.
Most Wickets, Best Bowling Figures – Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Shami finished the tournament as the leading wicket-taker and clinched the “most wickets” award with 24 to his name.
The veteran pacer was also accredited with “Best Bowling Figures” award for his performance in the semi-final against New Zealand where he scalped 7 wickets.
Most Sixes – Rohit Sharma
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma was awarded the “most sixes” award as he notched up 31 sixes in the tournament.
