Virat Kohli hit his record 50th century to surpass the mark he shared with countryman Sachin Tendulkar, during the semi-final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 semi-final between India and New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday.
Kohli raised his arms aloft then sank to his knees and bowed to the fans with his helmet off after reaching three figures in the semifinal match against New Zealand at the Wankhede stadium. He was 100 not out after facing 106 balls in a virtually chanceless innings to that point.
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The 50-year-old Tendulkar, the highest run-scorer in ODI and test cricket, was in the crowd in Mumbai to see the latest landmark reached by Kohli, who was eventually dismissed for 117 and applauded off the field by India’s fans.
“Again, the great man just congratulated me. It feels like a dream. Too good to be true. Big game for us and I played the role so that the guys around me can come and express themselves,” Kohli told the broadcasters during the mid-innings break.
“As I said, for me the most important thing is to make my team win. I’ve been given a role this tournament and I’m trying to dig deep. That’s the key to consistency – play according to the situation and play for the team. It’s the stuff of dreams,” he added.
Kohli said that he feels good that he managed to get to the landmark with his wife Anushka Sharma and his idol Sachin Tendulkar in attendence.
“Sachin paaji was there in the stands. It’s very difficult for me to express it. My life partner, my hero – he’s sitting there. And all these fans at the Wankhede,” he said.
The 35-year-old Kohli, nicknamed “The King” in India and arguably the world’s most famous cricketer, was playing his 279th innings in his 291st ODI after making his debut in the 50-over format in 2008.
It was his third hundred at this World Cup, which he is making his own. He finished the group stage as the top run-scorer in the tournament with 594 and averaging exactly 99.
“The first time I met you in the Indian dressing room, you were pranked by other teammates into touching my feet. I couldn’t stop laughing that day,” Tendulkar wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“But soon, you touched my heart with your passion and skill. I couldn’t be happier that an Indian broke my record.
“And to do it on the biggest stage – in the World Cup semi-final – and at my home ground is the icing on the cake,” Tendulkar added.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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