Kohli’s ‘Virat Day’ Century Equals Sachin’s Record: Only 7 Batsmen Achieve Birthday Milestone

Hitting a century in cricket is a big deal, and doing it on your birthday makes it an even more special day. Virat Kohli has achieved this feat today on his 35th birthday, matching Sachin Tendulkar’s record of centuries in the 49th century. He completed his 79th international century in the sport of cricket. Virat is the first Indian to score a century on his birthday in the World Cup.

In the history of One-Day International cricket, only seven batsmen have celebrated their birthdays by scoring a century, and among them, only three players have achieved the milestone of hitting a century on their birthday in a World Cup match.

1. Vinod Kambli (India) (21st Birthday) – 100 Vs England, Jaipur 1993*

Former Indian cricketer Vinod Kambli celebrated his 21st birthday in style in 1993 during a match against England in Jaipur. Kambli played an extraordinary inning, smashing 100 runs off just 149 balls, including nine boundaries and a six. With his outstanding performance, India managed to defeat England by four wickets.

2. Sachin Tendulkar (India) (25th Birthday) – 134 Vs Australia, Sharjah 1998

One of cricket’s greatest legends, Sachin Tendulkar, celebrated his 25th birthday in a memorable fashion in 1998 during a match against Australia in Sharjah. Tendulkar played a masterful inning, scoring an impressive 134 runs off just 131 balls, which included 12 boundaries and 3 sixes. India secured a thrilling victory over Australia, winning by 6 runs with an impressive margin of 6 wickets. Tendulkar’s innings in Sharjah is still remembered by cricket enthusiasts.

3. Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) (39th Birthday) – 130 Vs Bangladesh, Karachi 2008

Sri Lankan cricket legend and explosive opener Sanath Jayasuriya celebrated his 39th birthday with a remarkable performance in 2008 against Bangladesh in Karachi. Jayasuriya played a splendid inning, scoring 130 runs off just 88 balls, including 16 boundaries and 6 sixes. Sri Lanka won the match with a convincing 158-run margin. Jayasuriya’s performance on his birthday remains unforgettable.

4. Ross Taylor (New Zealand) (27th Birthday) – 131 Vs Pakistan, Pallekele 2011*

New Zealand’s star player Ross Taylor celebrated his 27th birthday in style during the 2011 World Cup match against Pakistan in Pallekele. Taylor played an exceptional inning, making 131 not out off just 124 balls, including eight boundaries and seven sixes. New Zealand secured a thrilling victory over Pakistan, winning by 110 runs with a significant margin. Ross Taylor became the second centurion on his birthday in an ODI World Cup.

5. Tom Latham (New Zealand) (30th Birthday) – 140 Vs Netherlands, Hamilton 2022*

New Zealand’s vice-captain, Tom Latham, celebrated his 30th birthday in a memorable fashion in 2022 during a match against the Netherlands in Hamilton. Latham played a classic inning, scoring an unbeaten 140 runs off 123 balls, including ten boundaries and five sixes. New Zealand defeated the Netherlands with a comfortable 118-run margin. Tom Latham’s performance on his birthday will be long remembered.

6. Mitchell Marsh (Australia) (32nd Birthday) – 121 Vs Pakistan, Bengaluru 2023

Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh delivered an outstanding performance on his 32nd birthday in 2023 during the ICC Cricket World Cup match against Pakistan in Bengaluru. Marsh put up an incredible show, scoring 121 runs off just 108 balls, including 10 boundaries and 9 sixes. Celebrating his birthday, Mitchell Marsh became the second centurion on a World Cup day.

7. Virat Kohli (India) (35th Birthday) – 101 Vs South Africa, Kolkata 2023*

Star player of Team India and cricket’s king, Virat Kohli, celebrated his 35th birthday in style in 2023 at Kolkata’s historic Eden Gardens stadium during a match against South Africa. Virat, marking his special day, played a record-breaking inning and became the second Indian to score a century on his birthday. Scoring an unbeaten 101 runs, he became the seventh centurion in international cricket on his birthday and completed a century in World Cup matches. Kohli’s remarkable achievement will be remembered by cricket enthusiasts for years to come.