India's performances in ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 so far have been nothing short of electrifying. The hosts have deservedly waltzed into the semi-finals of the tournament with an unbeaten streak of eight wins. But before they play their last-four clash against New Zealand in Mumbai, India have their final league game against the Netherlands slated on Diwali, that is Sunday, November 12, in Bengaluru. (Match Blog | Streaming | Preview | Scorecard | 3 Key Battles)
Since the home team are already assured a first-place finish in the league phase, the outcome of their game against Scott Edwards' side doesn't matter in the qualification scheme of things. But India would be hungry to maintain their unblemished record in this edition and sustain the momentum that has brought them here.
The fact that the match will be played on Diwali means it will be an opportunity for the Indian team to double the festivities on the special day. There are several records waiting to be broken during the India vs Netherlands game. Here is a look at some key milestones Indian players can achieve on the special day:
1. Virat Kohli's 50th ODI Century
This is a record everyone is eagerly awaiting. Virat Kohli got to his 49th ODI century against South Africa in Eden Gardens, with which he equalled Sachin Tendulkar's record of most ODI tons by any cricketer. If Kohli cracks another hundred on Sunday, he will break Tendulkar's record and reach the coveted 50-ton mark.
2. First Indian Team To Win 9 Matches On The Trot In A WC Edition
If India beat the Dutch outfit on Diwali night, it will be their ninth win in a row in the 2023 ODI World Cup, which is the most by any Indian side ever in a single edition of the tournament. The previous best was eight consecutive wins by the Sourav Ganguly-led 2003 team, which lost in the final to Australia. The Aussies hold the record for most wins on the trot in the ODI World Cup - 11 each in 2003 and 2007.
3. Most ODI Sixes In A Calendar Year
Rohit Sharma has hit 58 sixes in the 24 ODI matches he has played in 2023 so far. If he hits one more six, he will overtake AB de Villiers' record of most ODI sixes in a calendar year (58 sixes in 20 ODIs in 2015).
4. Most Sixes In ODI World Cup Matches
Rohit Sharma also stands a chance to break the record for most sixes in ODI World Cup history. The Indian captain has hit 45 sixes so far in the 25 ODI World Cup games he has played. If he smashes five or more sixes, he will surpass former West Indies batter Chris Gayle's record of 49 sixes in the ODI World Cup.
5. ODI Centuries Against 11 Countries
If either of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma hits a century against the Netherlands on Sunday, they will become only the fourth batter ever to score ODI hundreds against 11 nations. Sachin Tendulkar, Hashim Amla and Chris Gayle are the only three cricketers to have achieved the feat so far.
