Kohli smashes 31st ODI ton, surpasses Ponting’s record

Mumbai [India]: Indian skipper Virat Kohli marked his 200th ODI appearance by smashing his 31st one-day hundred as he surpassed former Australian captain Ricky Ponting on the list of highest centuries here at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

Kohli achieved yet another landmark in his glittering one-day international career during India’s opening ODI of the three-match series against New Zealand.

The 28-year-old walked in after India lost opener Shikhar Dhawan early in the innings for nine and he went on to score the ton off just 111 deliveries.

As a result, the Indian skipper is now just behind legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, who is standing at the top spot with 49 tons in the 50-over format of the game.

While Ponting had slammed 30 ODI centuries in his career, Tendulkar called curtains on his illustrious career after scoring 49 tons.

Kohli also became the second batsman-ever to score a hundred on his 200th ODI besides also being the leading run-getter after this match with 8,888 runs, ahead of AB De Villiers (8,621) and Sourav Ganguly (7,747).

Kohli’s marvelous innings finally comes to an end after he departed for 121 as India posted a reasonable total of 280-8 in their stipulated 50 overs. (ANI)