
On Thursday (Nov 2), former Indian captain Virat Kohli attained another massive feat in the ongoing home ODI World Cupas he became the third Indiabatter -- after Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma -- to score 1,000 runs in ODIs in 2023 during India's face-off with Sri Lanka at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. In addition, he is now the fourth batter to achieve this feat overall. Moreover, he also went past Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar's record of most 1,000-run years in ODIs. Kohli has scored 1,000 runs in a calendar year eight times (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2023). Tendulkar had amassed over 1,000 runs seven times(1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2007).
Talking about Kohli's run in the ongoing home World Cup, he has been in top form. The 34-year-old has been in top form with scores of 85, 55*, 16, 103*, 95 and 0. He will be looking to make it count in India's Sri Lanka face-off in Mumbai. He is already on the cusp of equalling Sachin Tendulkar's ODI tally (49) -- most by any in the format.
For India, they have been in top form in their home World Cup. They remain the only undefeated side in the 10-team showpiece event with six wins on the trot. The home side will be desperate to keep going forward and will need Kohli to maintain his form.
At the toss, India were asked to bat first by Sri Lanka in what is match 33 of the mega event.
After losing the toss, Rohit said, "We would have batted first as well. Good pitch and some assistance at the start and it will be nice under lights for our seamers to bowl. It's a great honour and a good moment for me to captain the team where I have grown up playing. That's a good thing for us moving forward. But as a team, we strive to keep improving and not get carried away and stay balanced. Try to tick the boxes whenever we take the field."
India (Playing XI):Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj
Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis(w/c), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Angelo Mathews, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka