As Virat Kohli graces the field at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on his 35th birthday, with India facing South Africa in World Cup amidst a jam-packed crowd, it evokes a profound sense of nostalgia among the fans who witnessed the rise of a cricketing legend 14 years ago. The same iconic ground that witnessed Kohli’s emergence in 2009, when he delivered a remarkable century to secure win for Mohun Bagan cricket team in the P. Sen Trophy final.
Kohli’s memorable performance saw him amass 184 runs from a mere 121 balls against Town Club in that decisive match. His incredible dominance in challenging conditions foreshadowed the remarkable journey of a future superstar. That century served as a prelude for the epic narrative that unfolded about six months later on Christmas Eve when he notched his first of 48 ODI centuries – scoring 107 runs against Sri Lanka on this very same ground.
Virat Kohli at Eden Gardens
All the attention on Sunday will be on Virat Kohli, with the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) set to add to the celebration by presenting him with a gold-plated bat. Additionally, there is the anticipation of Kohli achieving his 49th century, which would cement his place alongside the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.
Kohli’s record at this venue, while not extraordinary when compared to his standards, remains commendable. He maintains an average of 47.14 in ODIs at the Eden Gardens and even has a century to his name, achieved against Sri Lanka in December 2009. However, the 70,000 fans in attendance will be hopeful of witnessing another ton from him.
IND vs SA
With the India vs South Africa World Cup match set for Sunday, the outcome will have significant implications, as the winner between will take a big step towards securing the top spot in the standings. This would grant them the chance of facing the fourth-placed team in the semis. Given India’s impressive performance and their streak of seven consecutive wins, the Men In Blue exude an aura of invincibility.
