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ODI world cup 2023 Cricket

WATCH: Mohammad Hafeez sees 'sense of selfishness' in Virat Kohli's world record-equalling 49th ODI ton against South Africa

Virat Kohli won the Player of the Match as India won by a massive 243 runs against South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday.

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Mathew K
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Virat Kohli & Mohammad Hafeez (Source: Twitter)

Virat Kohli & Mohammad Hafeez (Source: Twitter)

After India's first innings against South Africa, Virat Kohli received criticism from some quarters that he played a selfish knock to complete the century. Former cricketers including Ricky Ponting and Ravi Shastri, meanwhile, praised Kohli by pointing out that it was a difficult pitch to bat on. Those who said India could have got more than 326 if Kohli had played more aggressively may have understood the importance of his sensible innings when South Africa were bowled out for 83. 

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Kohli, who put on a 130-plus partnership with Shreyas Iyer, remained unbeaten on 101 off 121 balls. However, there are still some people who cannot digest Kohli's world record-equalling 49th ODI century, among them former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez. The veteran all-rounder said that Kohli should have scored runs through boundaries when he was nearing his century. He lashed out at the former Indian captain, calling him a selfish player. 

“I saw a sense of selfishness in Virat Kohli's batting and this happened for the third time in this World Cup. In the 49th over, he was looking to take a single to reach his own hundred and he didn't put the team first. Rohit Sharma could have played selfish cricket too, but he didn't because he is playing for Team India and not for himself,” Hafeez was quoted as saying. 

Watch the video below: 

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Selfish enough to ensure his team wins: Venkatesh Prasad slams Kohli's critics 

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Hafeez received a massive backlash from former cricketers and fans for criticising Kohli despite India winning by a huge margin of 243 runs. Former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad hit out at Kohli's critics and penned a lovely note praising the 35-year-old for his 'strive for excellence'.

“Hearing funny arguments about Virat Kohli being Selfish and obsessed with personal milestone. Yes, Kohli is selfish, selfish enough to follow the dream of a billion people, selfish enough to strive for excellence even after achieving so much, selfish enough to set new benchmarks, selfish enough to ensure his team wins. Yes, Kohli is selfish.," Prasad wrote on X.

India Virat Kohli featured South Africa Mohammad Hafeez ODI World Cup 2023