ODI World Cup 2023: CAB president Snehasish Ganguly presents Virat Kohli with golden bat on his birthday

Virat Kohli, the cricketing maestro of India, magnificently celebrated his 35th birthday, achieving a record-equalling 49th One Day International (ODI) century in the match against South Africa. Snehasish Ganguly, the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), added a touch of elegance to the occasion by presenting Kohli with a gold-plated bat, reminiscent of the iconic collection owned by the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.

The remarkable feat unfolded at Kolkata's Eden Gardens, where countless fervent fans gathered to support their beloved cricketer. Fans were super excited and Kohli did not disappoint, showcasing his exceptional skills with the bat. The CAB president made the day even more extraordinary by presenting Kohli with the meticulously crafted gold-plated bat. It bore the inscription with birthday wishes and a heartfelt message.

"Happy Birthday Virat. You are a symbol of dedication and a living proof that age is just a number," was mentioned in Kohli's golden bat.

This gesture served as a testament to the deep respect and admiration shared between Kohli and the CAB. After the presentation, Kohli celebrated with his fans and teammates by cutting a grand birthday cake adorned with a statue of the cricketing icon himself. The cake was placed on a sumptuous dark chocolate base with blue icing.

Virat Kohli scored his 'special 49th' century while batting for India on his birthday for the first time

Now, speaking of the ODI World Cup 2023 game against South Africa, Virat Kohli displayed his prowess by scoring an unbeaten 101 runs from 121 balls, a performance that brought him level with the great Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 ODI centuries. He partnered with Shreyas Iyer, who contributed 77 runs, to lead India to an imposing total of 326 for five.

India's bowlers, led by Ravindra Jadeja (5/33), Mohammed Shami (2/18), and Kuldeep Yadav (2/7), showcased their brilliance by dismissing South Africa for a mere 83 runs in 27.1 overs. Post the conclusion of the game, Virat Kohli was rightfully named the Player of the Match. Thereafter, while expressing his joy over continuing to play the sport he loves, he emphasized that the pleasure of playing cricket holds the utmost importance to him beyond everything else.

Also Check: Most Runs in ODI World Cup 2023