Virat Kohli Hits Record-breaking 50th ODI Century to Move Ahead of Sachin Tendulkar

Virat Kohli has become the first batter in international cricket to hit 50 ODI centuries and this surpassing his hero Sachin Tendulkar to set a new record for the most hundreds in the format’s history.

Before this contest, Kohli was on level terms with Tendulkar after hitting 49th century of his ODI career during a league match against South Africa at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Kohli achieved the historic milestone during India’s semi-final match of the 2023 ODI World Cup against New Zealand being played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday.

This wasn’t the only Tendulkar record that Kohli broke during the innings.

He also overtook the batting legend’s tally of 673 runs – the most in a single edition of an ODI World Cup set in 2003.

Follow all the action from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 including the World Cup schedule, World Cup 2023 results, and ICC Cricket World Cup points table. Players are vying to top the World Cup 2023 Most Runs and World Cup 2023 Most Wickets charts. 

Kohli has now struck three centuries in the ongoing competition now, taking his overall tally of hundreds in ODI World Cups to five.

Kohli got to his hundred with a couple before celebrating in front of a capacity crowd at the venue with Tendulkar himself among the audience as he stood up to applaud his countryman.

Kohli’s wife Anushka Sharma was also there to witness history as she blew flying kisses in his direction and the crowd gave the Indian a standing ovation.

The 35-year-old is widely regarded as one of the finest cricketers to have played the game with few even terming him as the best all-format batter.

Overall, Kohli has now 80 centuries in international cricket  – 50 in ODIs, 29 in Tests and one in T20Is.

Kohli walked in to bat after the dismissal of India captain Rohit Sharma who kickstarted India’s inning with a rapid 47 after opting to bat first.

He then inside-edged one from Tim Southee into his thigh pad when he was yet to open his account which New Zealand reviewed after the on-field umpire turned down the LBW appeal. The on-field decision was upheld and the ball had rolled away to the third man region for four.

He then played a chanceless innings while stitching a fine 93-run partnership with Shubman Gill who retired hurt on 79.

Kohli was then joined by Shreyas Iyer and together they drove India in the forward direction with a century stand for the third wicket.