Talismanic Virat Kohli added another feather to his already illustrious hat on Monday as he notched up his 71st ODI half-century during India's ICC World Cup 2023 league stage match against South Africa. The former captain, who celebrates his 35th birthday on Sunday, continued his rich vein of form to notch up a gritty half-century off 67 deliveries.

The dice was loaded in South Africa’s favour as they enjoyed the first bite of the cherry in conditions tailor-made for high-scoring matches. The Temba Bavuma-led side made hay with two bumper strikes within the first 11 overs before Kohli and Shreyas Iyer dug in to steer India to safer shores.