Virat Kohli first Indian batsman to score hat-trick of ODI centuries

Virat Kohli, continuing his sensational form, became the first Indian batsman to score three consecutive centuries in ODIs. During India’s third match of the series against West Indies, Kohli, the Indian captain, struck yet another hundred – his 38th in the format – to reach where no Indian cricketer has gone before. This was also the fourth straight century for Kohli on Indian soil and also against West Indies.

Kohli joins a list that comprises the likes of Zaheer Abbas, AB De Villiers, Saeed Anwar, Herschelle Gibbs, Quinton de Kock, Ross Taylor, Babar Azam and Jonny Bairstow. The record for the most number of consecutive centuries is held by former Sri Lanka wicketkeeper batsman Kumar Sangakkara.

Kohli, coming off scored of 138 and 157* in the first two ODIs, was once again brought to the crease early after the fall of Rohit Sharma’s wicket early during India’s chase of 284. Kohli completed his century off 100 balls with 10 boundaries and a six before Marlon Samuels clean bowled him. India went on to lose the match by 43 runs, which meant the series is now levelled at 1-1 with two matches to go.

Earlier in the series, Kohli overtook Sachin Tendulkar to become the fastest to the 10000-run mark, during the second ODI in Vizag. He became the fifth Indian batsman to the landmark and the 13th overall. Kohli also is the quickest to reach 1000 runs in a calendar year, taking just 11 innings to get there.