Virat Kohli fell short of a stupendous third century in four successive outings for India during the first ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara, but his stellar 93 just about did the job for the team as they scraped through to a four-wicket win with an over to spare. Kohli’s 93 sparked the 301-run chase after the early dismissal of Rohit Sharma.
The former India captain was uncharacteristically aggressive from the outset, but eventually fell in the nineties for the seventh time in his ODI career. The 37-year-old, however, walked away with the Player-of-the-Match for the 45th time in his career. The Delhi stalwart has admittedly lost count of the overflowing trophies, but has found a secure place to frame them all.
The ODI record century-maker revealed that he sends all his awards from international outings spanning 18 years back to his mother’s residence in Gurugram.
🗣️ If I look back at my whole journey, it’s nothing short of a dream come true. ✨
“Honestly I have no idea,” Kohli said when asked about his growing collection of Player of the Match trophies. “I send it to my mum in Gurgaon, she likes to keep them. If I look back at my whole journey then it is nothing short of a dream come true for me. I have always known my abilities, I have worked a lot for where I am today, God has blessed me with way too much and I have a lot of gratitude in my heart, I feel proud.”
In what has seemed like a strong rekindling of his peak years in the 50-over format, Kohli has been on a tear ever since bagging two consecutive ducks in the Australia ODI series last October. Kohli has since racked up seven consecutive fifty-plus scores, including three centuries, equalling the Indian List A record for the most consecutive 50-plus scores in the format.
Kohli also surpassed Sachin Tendulkar as the fastest batter to reach 28,000 international runs in only his 624th innings and overtook Kumar Sangakkara as the second-highest run-scorer ever in international cricket during the Vadodara heist.
Virat Kohli won his 45th ODI man of the match award against New Zealand in Vadodara. (Express Photo by Bhupendra Rana) 
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