The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 is nearly half done and the favourites have been established. Some sparkling individual performances, backed by a few inspiring team efforts, have made the tournament intriguing with every passing match. Around the halfway mark, India are the only team without a defeat and every other team has picked up at least one victory. New Zealand and South Africa are continuing their terrific run while defending champions England find themselves at the foot of the table after match No. 22.
There is plenty to play for during this tournament and some star names are approaching major milestones. Here’s a look at some of the records that could be dusted during the ICC World Cup 2023.
1. Most centuries in ODIs
Virat Kohli is two triple-figure scores away from achieving one of the finest records in ODI cricket history. The former Indian captain has been in spectacular form in 2023 and is scoring runs with ease. He currently has 48 centuries in the 50-over format, just one shy of Sachin Tendulkar’s 49.
Kohli had an opportunity to surpass that number in the tournament. He got out just short of a century against Australia and New Zealand, which could’ve seen him level and overtake Tendulkar. Kohli is India’s leading run-scorer in the current edition of the World Cup.
2. Most sixes in ODI World Cup
Rohit Sharma has already headlined this World Cup with one major achievement in ODI cricket. The Indian skipper went past Chris Gayle as the leading six-hitter in international cricket in the match against Afghanistan and is currently chasing another Gayle record.
Chris Gayle hit 49 sixes in the ODI World Cup, the most for any batter. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma has 40 sixes in the tournament history, having added 17 in the ongoing edition. Considering his form, Rohit Sharma is definitely in contention to take the top spot in this record.
3. Most wickets in ODI World Cup for India
Mohammed Shami is closing in on Javagal Srinath and Zaheer Khan’s record for most wickets in ODI World Cups among Indians. Srinath and Zaheer, two of India’s finest pacers, picked up 44 wickets donning the coloured jersey in World Cup cricket.
Mohammad Shami – who featured in the 2015, 2019 and 2023 World Cups – has 36 wickets in 12 matches. Shami also has a better average (15.02) and strike-rate (17.69) than Javagal Srinath and Zaheer Khan. Although Shami is not a regular in the side, he picked up a five-fer in his first outing of the tournament against New Zealand.
4. Most 50+ scores in ODI run chases
Virat Kohli is looking to achieve plenty of epic milestones at the ICC World Cup 2023. Another major one within touching distance for the 35-year-old is the most 50+ scores for a batter in ODIs while chasing.
Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli are currently on level terms. Tendulkar has scored 17 centuries and 52 half-centuries, while Kohli has 27 centuries and 40 half-centuries – both accounting for 69 50+ scores each. Kohli, who is one of the contenders to finish as the top run-scorer, is highly likely to break this record in this edition.
5. Most centuries in a single edition of the ODI World Cup
Not many Indian fans can forget Rohit Sharma’s exploits at the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2019. The opener smashed five centuries and was the leading run-scorer in that tournament. However, Quinton de Kock is close to breaking his record in the ongoing World Cup.
The South African batter, who confirmed that this will be his final tournament in ODIs, has scored three centuries in the tournament so far – against Sri Lanka, Australia and Bangladesh. With the Proteas looking set to reach the semi-finals, there is a good opportunity for Quinton de Kock to surpass him.
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