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Kohli not finished yet: Ganguly on the 'phenomenal' 50

November 15, 2023 20:15 IST

Virat Kohli celebrates scoring his 50th century and breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record of most ODI hundreds, during the World Cup semi-final against New Zealand, at the Wankhede stadium on Thursday.

IMAGE: Virat Kohli celebrates scoring his 50th century and breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record of most ODI hundreds, during the World Cup semi-final against New Zealand, at the Wankhede stadium on Thursday. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Virat Kohli scaled ‘Mount 50' on Wednesday, and former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly had little doubt that the batting star has many more miles to traverse in his career.

Kohli scored his 50th ODI hundred during the World Cup semi-final against New Zealand at the Wankhede stadium and went one ahead of his idol, Sachin Tendulkar.

 

It will take a lot of beating to go past this and he's not finished yet. It's a phenomenal achievement,” Ganguly said, during an interaction with reporters at the Eden Gardens.

The 35-year-old reached the milestone in the 42nd over, off the bowling of Kiwis pacer Lockie Ferguson, as India set New Zealand a staggering target of 398 in the last-four match at Mumbai.

Ganguly lauded the Indian team for playing an astounding brand of cricket.

India are playing incredible cricket at the moment. Be it Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer or the bowlers.

“It's a complete side, there is tremendous talent in this team. But We need to take one step at a time," he said.

pitch controversy has threatened to take some sheen off India's performance during the World Cup semi-final, with reports claiming that the hosts changed the Wankhede surface at the last minute and opted for a "slow track”.

Ganguly refused to agree with that and said the pitch was a "fair one".

“It looks like a good pitch on which they are playing. It's the same for both teams. There is nothing wrong with the Wankhede pitch,” he said.

The former BCCI president was also seen inspecting the Eden strip on which the second World Cup semi-final between Australia and South Africa will be played on Thursday.

He observed both the ends of the pitch and then checked soil firmness.

The pitch on offer for the match between Australia and South Africa is also a used one on which England faced Pakistan in a group phase match.