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Virat Kohli’s coach Rajkumar Sharma praises his 100 IPL fifties, equating it to 100 ODI centuries.
Virat Kohli (Picture Credit: Sportzpics)
Virat Kohli’s childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma believes that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter’s 100 fifties in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is as big an achievement as scoring 100 centuries in ODIs. Sharma saw Kohli’s feat as proof of his consistency, calling Kohli the best in that aspect in the T20 format.
On Sunday, Kohli became just the second player in the history of T20 cricket to register 100 fifties after Australa’s David Warner. He reached the mark with a six against Rajasthan Royals (RR) spinner Wanindu Hasaranga in Jaipur during an IPL 2025 group-stage match. The right-handed opener remained unbeaten at 62 (45), helping RCB chase down 174 in less than 18 overs to win their fourth game of the season.
“Definitely, it is a big achievement,” Sharma was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. “I think scoring 100 fifties is as good as scoring 100 centuries in ODIs I would say because T20 is such a format where scoring fifty is a good score and that shows his consistency. The way he has played since the beginning, he has been the most consistent batsman in the T20 format also.”
This was Kohli’s third fifty in IPL 2025. He has already scored 248 runs in six matches at an average of 62.
Riding on Kohli, Phil Salt and the bowling group’s good form, RCB have started the season well, losing only two matches so far. Both of their losses have come at their home, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Sharma said he was optimistic about the franchise’s coming days in the tournament.
“They have depth in their bowling also and Kohli is looking good. So, let us keep our fingers crossed and hope lot of good things for RCB. It is early to say but the way they are playing they look good as a team but not winning in home conditions. I expect them to do well at home too,” he added.
Most half-centuries in T20s
- David Warner (Australia) – 108
- Virat Kohli (India) – 100*
- Babar Azam (Pakistan) – 90
- Chris Gayle (West Indies) – 88
- Jos Buttler (England) – 86
- Alex Hales (England) – 85
- Shoaib Malik (Pakistan) – 83
- Faf du Plessis (South Africa) – 79
- Rohit Sharma (India) – 78
- Aaron Finch (Australia) – 77
