‘Jai ho Neem Karoli Baba ki’ - Fans go berserk as Virat Kohli smashes 45th ODI century vs SL

All eyes were on team India on 10 January 2023 as they took on Sri Lanka in the home ODI series. It was the first match of the series that took palace in Guwahati, Assam. However, all senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli took a rest from the T20I series. So, they were all back in the ODI series in order to kick off the preparation for the 2023 World Cup. 

Virat Kohli had a good end to the 2022 year when he scored his 72nd international hundred in the third ODI in Bangladesh. It was the 44th ODI ton for the former India captain. So, fans were hoping for a similar start to 2023 from Virat Kohli. Speaking of the match, Shanaka won the toss and asked the home side to bat first in Guwahati.

Virat Kohli scored 113 runs off 87 balls in the first ODI

Before this series, Virat Kohli spent quality time with his wife Anushka Sharma, and daughter Vamika. They went to an ashram in Vrindavan and enjoyed a great time there. Several pictures and videos went viral all over social media platforms. While batting first, India scored 373 runs for seven wickets in 50 overs. Rohit Sharma made a great start to the year as he scored 83 runs off 67 balls, including nine fours and three sixes. Opener Shubman Gill also scored 70 runs off 60 balls, including 11 fours. Then, Virat Kohli came out to bat at number three.

But, he showed his class and scored his 73rd International century. It was his 45th ODI ton and consecutive centuries after a long gap in ODIs. However, he got dropped twice by Sri Lanka fielders. But, finally, he got out for 113 runs off 87 balls, including 12 fours and one six. Kohli batted at a strike rate of 129.88. Fans went crazy after seeing such a knock from the former India skipper.  

Here is how fans have reacted to the hundred of Virat Kohli in the first ODI:

73rd bhi aa gya bhai💗💗

King for a reason 👑#ViratKohli #ViratKohli𓃵 #INDvsSL @imVkohli

— ꧁Ɽł₮HVł₭ ࿐💖💙 (@RRithvik_18) January 10, 2023

Jai ho Neem Karoli Baba ki #ViratKohli

— Shubham Shah (@ShubhamSax786) January 10, 2023

Virat Kohli checking on his haters right now after scoring back to back hundred in ODI!
King Kohli back to his Prime!#ViratKohli #INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/Ksp4IvJM5A

— Vishal Verma (@VishalVerma_9) January 10, 2023

Back to back hundreds after a draught. Well played.#ViratKohli #INDvsSL

— Atif (@AmaanAtif_27) January 10, 2023

#ViratKohli
King gets his 73rd hundred today pic.twitter.com/nfluCju7nD

— R. S. (@RSPrajapat5318) January 10, 2023

73rd Odi hundred for the 🐐
Virat King Kohli 👑

Well played Champ 👏#INDvsSL #INDvSL #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/15tBbTtGvo

— ・P A R A・ (@The_Peace_Point) January 10, 2023

Virat Kohli. The greatest there is the greatest there was the greatest there ever will be. #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/QQX3xotS5o

— Kohlifier (@Kohlifier) January 10, 2023

73rd !! Wow!! King Kohli 👑#ViratKohli𓃵 #ViratKohli #KingKohli pic.twitter.com/gJAvRsaZmB

— Anushmita⁷ (@anushmita7) January 10, 2023