Indian star Virat Kohli was denied his much-anticipated 85th international century in heartbreaking fashion during the first ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara on Saturday.
Kohli was dismissed for 93 off 91 balls, just seven runs short of the landmark, when Kyle Jamieson found the breakthrough in the 40th over of India’s chase. The right-hander looked set for a three-figure score before mistiming a shot, with Michael Bracewell completing a safe catch.
The moment was particularly poignant as the Vadodara crowd, which had been building in anticipation of Kohli’s hundred, was left stunned. Just moments before the dismissal, a young fan in the stands was seen holding up a placard celebrating Kohli’s impending century — a visual that quickly went viral as the batter walked back.
Despite missing out on the milestone, Kohli’s innings was another reminder of his rich vein of form. His 93-run knock came at a crucial stage of the chase and followed a prolific run in recent ODIs, where he has consistently anchored India’s batting.
India, at the time of Kohli’s dismissal, were 234 for 3 in 39.1 overs, needing 67 runs from 65 balls, firmly in control of the chase even as the crowd processed the disappointment of seeing their hero fall just short.