Twitterati roar after Virat Kohli gets to his 50th international ton

Virat Kohli continued to have a stellar home season and slammed a sensational century on the final day of the Test against Sri Lanka. The captain led from the front as expected after quick fall of wickets and scored his 18th Test ton. This was his first century in whites at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata where he had a poor record in the format. However, Twitterati was absolutely pleased with exceptional innings from captain Kohli and lauded him for his efforts.

India were hoping to add quick runs and secure a good enough lead to put in the visitors for a tricky little period. But their hopes were dashed as the overnight batsmen were soon snaffled by Suranga Lakmal. Kohli then strode out to the middle and survived a few close calls before settling in. Unfortunately, whenever he tried to get some quick runs, a wicket would fall. Finally, when Wriddhiman Saha was dismissed, he started opening his arms and connected ever so sweetly.

He was the only batsman who looked comfortable as the middle order literally collapsed around him. Kohli was unperturbed and played his strokes according to the merit of the ball. He shifted gears and attacked every bowler who came his way after lunch. His impeccable drives and use of wrists were absolutely beautiful to watch. Soon he got to his 50th International hundred across all formats with a searing six over long-off.

India declare with a lead of 230

India rode on the century from their skipper and declared on 352/8 with a lead of 230 runs in the kitty. Sri Lanka now would have to face a tricky period before tea time and then come out to bat when the light starts fading quickly. Kohli’s unbeaten 104 run knock has given the hosts a shot at the visitors and a couple of wickets early on would spice up the things.

Here’s how Twitterati erupted:

No. of inns to score 50 International 100s:

348 Amla
348 KOHLI
376 Tendulkar
418 Ponting
465 Lara
520 Kallis
593 Sangakkara
667 Jayawardene#INDvsSL

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) November 20, 2017

Fastest to 50 centuries in International cricket:

348 innings – Hashim Amla / VIRAT KOHLI
376 innings – Sachin Tendulkar
420 innings – Ricky Ponting
465 innings – Brian Lara#INDvSL

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) November 20, 2017

Most Test 100s as Indian skipper:
11 V KOHLI (48 inngs) *
11 S Gavaskar (74)
9 M Azharuddin (68)
7 S Tendulkar (43)#INDvSL

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) November 20, 2017

Test century number 18 for Virat Kohli! His third against Sri Lanka and his first at Eden Gardens. #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/FgP30ozoyh

— ICC (@ICC) November 20, 2017

Virat Kohli registers his 50th International hundred. #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/iVF1PdEjqc

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) November 20, 2017

Top drawer century from @imVkohli. Held the side together when there was danger and just so easily changed style and attacked.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 20, 2017

50+ international hundreds:
100 S Tendulkar
71 R Ponting
63 K Sangakkara
62 J Kallis
54 M Jayawardene/ H Amla
53 B Lara
50 V KOHLI#INDvSL

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) November 20, 2017

50th International 100 for @imVkohli …….. #Freak

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 20, 2017

Virat Kohli 50th century in international cricket!
Now need 50 more to equal Sachin Tendulkar!#IndvSL

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) November 20, 2017

Most international centuries by captains in a calendar year:

9 – Ricky Ponting, 2005
9 – Graeme Smith, 2005
9 – Ricky Ponting, 2006
9 – VIRAT KOHLI, 2017* #INDvSL

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) November 20, 2017

Wow This will rank as one of his best 100s at home. Well played @imVkohli knock of quality. @cricketaakash @vikrantgupta73 @rajneesh_chopra

— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) November 20, 2017

In International cricket,

Sachin Tendulkar:
Matches – 664, Centuries – 100

Virat Kohli:
Matches – 318, Centuries – 50 #INDvSL

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) November 20, 2017

Kohli gets 50…international 100s. #WhattaMan ???

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) November 20, 2017

Most centuries by Indian captains in Test cricket:

11 – VIRAT KOHLI*
11 – Sunil Gavaskar
9 – Mohammed Azhruddin
7 – Sachin Tendulkar #INDvSL

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) November 20, 2017

50th hundred for Virat Kohli in International cricket

– 18 in Tests (104 vs Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens in the 2nd inns)
– 32 in ODIs#INDvSL

— Cric Stat (@Cric_Stat) November 20, 2017

18th Test century for @imVkohli followed by the declaration. Sri Lanka need 231 runs to win the 1st Test #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/J0Lqp650SZ

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 20, 2017

Kohli's century:

50th in International cricket
21st as captain in Internationals
18th in Tests
11th as captain in Tests
9th in Internationals this year
2nd in 3rd inns of Tests#INDvsSL

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) November 20, 2017

Virat Kohli Test batting average goes past 50 again – 50.12 after his 18th 100!!!#INDvSL

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) November 20, 2017

Class apart??champion @imVkohli #INDvsSL

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) November 20, 2017

Judging by @imVkohli 's reaction on reaching the three figure mark, must have really given enough satisfaction to get a test ton at Eden Gardens. Deservedly so. #INDvSL

— Debasis Sen (@debasissen) November 20, 2017

In the context of how match transpired, terrific century from @imVkohli. India were in a pickle after poor first session today

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) November 20, 2017

Virat Kohli – 50 hundreds in International cricket

11 vs Aus
10 vs Sri Lanka
8 vs NZ
6 vs Eng
5 vs WI
4 vs Ban
2 vs Pak
2 vs SA
1 vs Zim#INDvSL

— Cric Stat (@Cric_Stat) November 20, 2017

Fastest to reach 50 international hundreds… Just 348 innings ! Stupendous appetite; creditable consistency… A true blue champion @imVkohli #INDvSL https://t.co/Js7MiyxuG4

— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) November 20, 2017

Kohli… proper taking the piss! #INDvSL

— Trent Copeland (@copes9) November 20, 2017

We witnessed a masterclass today from @imVkohli. 50th international ? already, long way to go. Well played champ! ?

— Manoj Tiwary (@tiwarymanoj) November 20, 2017