KL Rahul explains his selfless gesture to allow Virat Kohli to score century against Bangladesh in CWC 2023

Virat Kohli scored his 48th ODI ton against Bangladesh in Pune.

In a stunning display of cricketing prowess, Virat Kohli, the stalwart of Indian cricket, reached his 48th century in One Day International (ODI) cricket during a crucial match against Bangladesh in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. The iconic moment unfolded at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, leaving fans appreciating the greatness of Virat Kohli yet again.

Kohli's century came off just 97 balls, emphasizing his mastery of the format. What made this century even more memorable was the selflessness displayed by his teammate, KL Rahul, who shared the crease with him when the milestone was within reach. With India comfortably chasing a target of 257, Kohli found himself on the brink of a century when only 20 runs were required to secure the victory.

KL Rahul’s selflessness

KL Rahul's gesture of denying a single to Kohli in the final moments of the match showcased the camaraderie and team spirit that make cricket such a beloved sport in India. Rahul revealed in a post-match interview, "I denied the single. Virat said it would be bad if you won't take a single; people will think we are playing for personal milestones, but I said, We are comfortably winning; you complete your century."

The match, in which India chased down the target in just under 42 overs, not only secured India's victory but also allowed the star player to put his name in the record books once again. When 30 runs were needed, Rahul informed Kohli that he would focus on blocking while encouraging Kohli to go for shots. “When 30 runs were needed, I told Virat that I'd just block; you go for shots. At the end, Virat told me he made it too close for his comfort," KL further quoted.

Virat Kohli is one ton away from equaling Sachin Tendulkar's record

With this century, Virat Kohli is now just one century short of equaling Sachin Tendulkar’s 49 ODI centuries record, a remarkable achievement that cements his status as one of the all-time greats of the game. His consistency and ability to deliver under pressure have made him a cricketing legend and a source of inspiration for aspiring cricket players across the world.

The victory against Bangladesh extended India's unbeaten streak in the World Cup, with four wins out of four games. India are set to face New Zealand in their next game on Sunday.