Cricket World Cup: Virat Kohli ton helps India post 326/5 against South Africa at Eden Gardens

Celebrating his 35th birthday, Virat Kohli scored 101 off 121 balls to help India put 326/5 on board against South Africa on Sunday in a World Cup match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Earlier, continuing with his high-risk game, Rohit Sharma gave India a flourishing start, but South Africa pegged the hosts back by removing the captain and his opening partner, Shubhman Gill.

Rohit hit a 24-ball 40 and shared a 62-run opening partnership with Shubman Gill (23) but the Proteas left them fighting at 105 for two after 15 overs.


The flurry of shots from Rohit's bat saw India complete 50 runs in just 4.3 overs as the skipper smashed two sixes and six boundaries during his entertaining innings.

However, Rohit could not build on the solid start with pacer Kagiso Rabada taking his wicket. Temba Bavuma hung on to a fast-travelling shot after Rohit could not get enough elevation to clear the fielder at mid-off.

The Proteas skipper swooped to his right to take a great catch.

Gill departed soon, flummoxed by a superb delivery from spinner Keshav Maharaj in the 11th over, which landed just outside leg, turned slightly to beat the young batting sensation and clip the bails.

For a moment Gill was in disbelief, not knowing if it was a stumping or he had been clean-bowled, However, TV referral showed the ball had indeed clipped the bails.

Shreyas Iyer joined Virat Kohli in the middle and stitched a century-parternship with the help of some magnificent strokes. Just when Iyer was looking to give an impetus to scoring to complete his hundred, Ngidi got the better off him with a slow ball and Aiden Markram did the rest by completing a simple catch. Shreyas Iyer scored 77 off 87 balls with the help of 7 four and 2 sixes.

Wicket-keeper KL Rahul 8 (17) and Suryakumar Yadav 22 (15) departed soon.

Brief Scores: India 326 for 5 (Rohit Sharma 40, Shubman Gill 23, Shreyas Iyer 77, Virat Kohli 101 not out, Ravindra Jadeja 29 not out)