Back in the day, on December 24, 2009, something amazing happened. The former Indian hitter, Gautam Gambhir, did something incredibly kind. He handed over his Player of the Match award. And guess who he gave it to? Virat Kohli! Why? For his first-time-ever international century. A milestone in cricket. A memorable day indeed!
Gautam Gambhir was already acclaimed in the Indian squad, while Kohli was an emerging talent. He’d stepped into the world of international cricket just a year prior. This event occurred post the fourth One Day International (ODI) of a home series against Sri Lanka in Kolkata in 2009.
The series had India ahead with a scoreline of 2-1. However, Sri Lanka gave a sturdy challenge, posting a giant score of 315/6 in their allocated 50 overs. As their reply, though, the Indian team crumbled to a shaky 23/2 in only the fourth over, losing crucial players Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar early.
In just his 14th international game, Kohli displayed amazing calm and eagerness for a run-chase. This foreshadowed what was on the horizon. He nailed a standout 107 off 114 pitches. His participation contributed to a game-changing 224-run partnership with Gautam Gambhir.
Gautam Gambhir, the left-hander, delivered a spectacular 150 off 137 balls, getting named Player of the Match. This happened as India wrapped up a seven-wicket victory in the 49th over.
However, Gambhir handed Kohli the prize instead for reaching his first international century. Here’s a video of the touching moment:
Kohli’s rise to worldwide cricket stardom began in Delhi. He has shattered many records along the way.
At 35, he cemented his legacy as the initial player to secure 50 ODI centuries. This achievement surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s remarkable 49 tons. Kohli outperformed Sachin’s one-time mark for most runs in an ODI World Cup by gathering 765 from 11 matches, including three centuries.
Additionally, this sporting champion hustled to be the second, and quickest, batsman to reach 13,000 ODI runs.
Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli Saved India in 2011 World Cup Final
Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli found themselves together again, not even two years after their notable team performance in Kolkata. The backdrop was grander this time — the 2011 ODI World Cup finale —, facing the same rival, Sri Lanka.
In the grand finals match against Sri Lanka, the Men in Blue were down 31/2 in the seventh over after losing Sehwag and Sachin early once more. They were chasing 275. However, Gautam Gambhir and Kohli managed to put together an important 83-run partnership under extreme circumstances, saving the Indian innings.
Sadly, Kohli was unable to get going this time and was removed after 35 deliveries out of 49, leaving India at 114/3.
With a 91* off 79 balls, captain MS Dhoni made sure there would be no more mishaps and produced one of the greatest innings in World Cup history. India was on the verge of triumph thanks to their 109-run combination, but a bloodlust attack caused the left-handed batsman to miss a century by three runs.
However, Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh completed the task in the 49th over, assisting India in winning their second World Cup in ODIs.
