Virat Kohli, India's run-scoring machine, was chosen as the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 Player of the Tournament for his record-breaking 765 runs, the highest-ever runs scored by a batter in a single edition of the World Cup.
Kohli's batting prowess was a standout aspect of the competition, with the Indian number three reaching at least a half-century in nine of his 11 innings. His three centuries, first against Bangladesh and South Africa in the league stage and then again against New Zealand in the semi-finals, le dhim to conclude with an average of 95.62 runs and a strike rate of 90.31.
With the last century, Kohli took his ODI centuries tally to 50 and broke Sachin Tendulkar's long-standing record of scoring the most ODI centuries. Notably, the record was broken in the latter’s presence on his home ground, the Wankhede Stadium.
"This all feels like a dream," Kohli said after the achievement. "If I could paint the perfect picture, I would want this to be the picture. My life partner, the person I love the most, she is sitting there. My hero Sachin is sitting there. I was able to get the 50th in front of them and these fans in such a historic venue. It’s amazing, “ he added.
In the final match against Australia, Kohli scored 54 runs off 63 balls to end his tournament with yet another half-century. His efforts, however, were in vain as Australia ended India's unbeaten streak in the tournament with a 6-wicket victory to win the title.
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