Virat Kohli becomes first ever Indian cricketer to play 4 ICC Cricket World Cup semi-finals

Virat Kohli was part of India’s 2011 World Cup winning team as well.

Team India have won the toss and elected to bat first against New Zealand in the semi-final at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. As team India step on the field unchanged, Virat Kohli has now become the only Indian player to feature in the 4 different World Cup semi-final matches in his career. Team India will be looking to avenge the World Cup 2019 defeat against the Kiwis. New Zealand won the semi-final at Old Trafford in their second successive final game. 

Virat Kohli started his World Cup career with India in 2011. He was a member of India’s World Cup-winning team and played a crucial role in playing XI against Sri Lanka in the final. He played his first World Cup semi-final game against Pakistan in Mohali and then went on to play in the final. 4 years later, Virat Kohli played his second World Cup semi-final against Australia at SCG Ground in Sydney in 2015, where India lost the semi-final. 

Virat led India in 2019 semi-final

Kohli’s 3rd World Cup semi-final was against New Zealand at Old Trafford in 2019 where team India suffered a close defeat by 18 runs. Virat Kohli was captain of the squad in World Cup 2019 and India’s top-order had a dismal outing against the Kiwi pace attack. Now in Mumbai, Virat Kohli has created a record of playing 4 semi-finals in the World Cup. Starting from 2011 to 2023, Virat has played in consecutive World Cup semi-finals. 

Apart from Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar (3), MS Dhoni (3), Rohit Sharma (3), and Ravindra Jadeja (3) have played more than 2 semi-final games in the World Cup for India. Sachin Tendulkar played in three World Cup semi finals in 1996, 2003 and 2011. MS Dhoni played in three consecutive semi-finals from 2011 to 2019. Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja are playing their third consecutive semi-final today. They were part of 2015 World Cup semi-final and 2019 World Cup semi-final as well.

Earlier in this tournament, India defeated New Zealand in the league round game at HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala. Virat Kohli played a magnificent knock of 95 runs in 104 balls. Virat’s knock was crucial for Team India to win the game. Team India will be looking to aim for a big total against the Kiwi bowlers and put some pressure on the bowlers. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have provided a blistering start in the powerplays to the Indian team in the tournament.

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