On Sunday, October 8th, during the India vs. Australia match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Virat Kohli surpassed Anil Kumble’s record for most catches by an Indian in the ODI World Cup. The senior player made a remarkable diving catch at slips to achieve this milestone.
The dismissal occurred in Australia’s innings’ third over. A short-length ball with considerable bounce beyond the off-stump was delivered by Jasprit Bumrah. Mitchell Marsh hung his bat, which he then snipped to the slips. Virat Kohli successfully made a legal catch by diving to his left and grabbing it with both hands.
The 34-year-old had been spotted practicing similar catches in the net session the day before the game when he made the amazing catch.
By taking that catch, Virat Kohli (15) surpassed Anil Kumble (14) to become the Indian player with the most catches in prestigious ICC events. Kapil Dev and Sachin Tendulkar share third place with 12 catches each.
Mohammed Azharuddin (156) has taken the most catches for India in the 50-over format among the untrained. Meanwhile, Kohli has so far grabbed 146 catches.
Virat Kohli ready to roar in ODI World Cup
As the ODI World Cup approaches, Virat Kohli is in peak form. In the 2023 Asia Cup, the right-handed hitter recently hit an unbeaten century against Pakistan and then scored 50 runs against Australia. He has scored 612 runs at an average of 55.64 in 16 games in 2023, including three tons and two half-centuries.
With a top score of 138 against South Africa in 2015, he has 337 runs in eight ODIs in Chennai at an average of 42.13. He will now try to beat Sachin Tendulkar’s (49) record for most hundreds in the 50-over format by smashing his 48th ODI century against Australia.
Australia’s captain Pat Cummins chose to bat after winning the toss in the game. The only alteration the Australians made was the replacement of injured all-rounder Marcus Stoinis with Cameron Green.
On the other side, India’s playing XI included Ishan Kishan in lieu of the sick Shubman Gill.
Australia had scored 74/2 after 17 overs as of the time of writing, with Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschangne at the crease.
The first breakthrough came when Mitchell Marsh was dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah for a six-ball duck. David Warner (41 off 52) was then caught and bowled by Kuldeep Yadav.