29 October,2023 03:15 PM IST | Lucknow | mid-day online correspondent
Virat Kohli remains one century away from equalling all-time great Sachin Tendulkar`s record of 49 ODI hundreds (Pic: AFP)
Captain Rohit Sharma's solid 33 notwithstanding, India were on shaky grounds at 50 for 3 after 15 overs against England in the ICC World Cup 2023 league stage clash on Sunday. After being asked to bat first, India witnessed a tumultuous beginning after losing two wickets in the space of one run.
Shubman Gill was the first to get dismissed as he was castled by pacer Chris Woakes for nine. India were 26 for 1 then. An even bigger shock was awaiting India as in-form Virat Kohli departed for a nine-ball duck, his first in ODIs this year. Left-arm quick David Willey claimed the prized scalp after Kohli played a loose shot to be caught at mid-off by Ben Stokes and walked off to stunned silence at Lucknow's Ekana Stadium. Shreyas Iyer soon followed the suit, clattering Woakes to Mark Wood at mid-on after making four as India slipped to 40-3 in 12 overs.
Also Read: World Cup: Losers and arrogant
Kohli remains one century away from equalling all-time great Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 ODI hundreds. Former captain Kohli has been in good form at this 50-over showpiece, hitting a match-winning 95 against New Zealand last week. He started by scoring 85 in India's opening match against Australia and followed it up with a 55 not out (Afghanistan), 16 (Pakistan), 103 not out (Bangladesh). Sunday's duck was his 16th in ODIs in his 275th innings. Kohli has scored 13,437 runs at an average of over 58 since his debut in 2008.
ALSO READ
Dhoni, Rohit, KL gear up for charity
'Injuries don't define you': Mohammed Shami shares rehab update
'If I could have played till the end...': KL Rahul on his 'regret' in WC final
"India wanted to give Australia a slow track": Kaif on ODI World Cup final
"Just had a successful heel operation on my achilles tendon!": Shami
Meanwhile, the Indian team stepped on the pitch while wearing a black armband in memory of the legendary Indian spinner Bishan Singh Bedi who passed away earlier on Monday. Bedi, who formed a much-vaunted spinning quartet along with Erapalli Prasanna, Srinivas Venkataraghavan, and Bhagwat Chandrasekhar in his heydays, passed away after a prolonged illness.
He represented India in 67 Tests and 10 ODIs, taking a combined of 273 wickets. Well known for his profound understanding of the game, Bedi's elegant and rhythmic bowling action, coupled with his ability to generate prodigious spin, and his discipline with the ball earned him tremendous success.
(With inputs from agencies)
