Virat Kohli narrowly misses out on his record-equalling 49th ODI hundred yet again | Cricket World Cup

Indian fans will have to wait longer for Virat Kohli to equal Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 ODI hundreds after the Indian star departed 12 runs short of what would have been a record-equalling century against Sri Lanka in the ICC Cricket World Cup.

Kohli took his ODI tons tally to 48 after his hundred against Bangladesh. However, his quest to match his idol Sachin's record was foiled for the second time in this World Cup.

He missed out on a century by mere 5 runs against New Zealand in Dharamsala, where he fell for 95, trying to get to his hundred with a maximum, which would have also won India the game. And while he had all the time against the Lankans in Mumbai, he departed for 88.

Despite the disappointment, Virat Kohli took his tally to 442 runs for this World Cup, and he is not the second-highest run-scorer after Quinton de Kock.

Curiously, India's upcoming match against South Africa on Sunday falls on Virat Kohli's birthday. Perhaps, this occasion will provide the perfect setting for him to achieve his 49th ODI century and create a memorable cricketing milestone.

Virat Kohli creates World record, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar