IND vs SA: Gautam Gambhir explains exact reason why he gave his Man of the Match award to Virat Kohli in 2009

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IND vs SA: Virat Kohli is currently chasing his record-equalling 49th ODI hundred and has already registered his name as one of the greats of the game. However, back in 2009 when he smashed his maiden ODI and international hundred, Gautam Gambhir made it a memorable one for him.

In the match against Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on December 24, 2009, Virat Kohli smashed 107 runs off 114 balls. Gautam Gambhir scored unbeaten 150 runs off 137 balls while batting at third as India chased down a 316-run target in 48.1 overs.

India were 23/2 when Gambhir and Kohli forged a 224-run partnership off 214 balls for the third wicket. The panel named Gautam Gambhir the Man of the Match, but the southpaw in a heart-warming gesture called Virat Kohli upon the stage and handed the trophy to him.

In the World Cup 2023 match number 37 between India and South Africa in Kolkata on Sunday, November 5, cricketer-turned-commentator Gambhir revealed the exact reason why he gave his award to Kohli.

He started by saying that he doesn't take compliments because people don't give him compliments. He added that the gesture for Kohli was made to make his first hundred a memorable one.

"People don't give compliments, that's why I don't take compliments. If I was in place of Kohli and someone would have done it for me, it would have been very memorable. You hit many hundreds, but the first century would be closest. We were 20/2 and a youngster hit a hundred," Gambhir said while commentating for Star Sports when Kohli was batting in the middle.

Virat Kohli, who is celebrating his 35th birthday today (November 5, 2023), is on the cusp of equalling Sachin Tendulkar's record for most ODI hundreds. He has hit a total of 48 ODI hundreds, 29 Test hundreds and one T20I hundred.

In the match against South Africa, India have opted to bat first after winning the toss. India have won each of their even matches in the World Cup 2023 and have already qualified for the semi-finals. South Africa also qualified after Pakistan defeated New Zealand on Saturday.