Virat Kohli Surpasses Sachin Tendulkar's Record for ODI Centuries
Virat Kohli Hits Century No. 50 in World Cup Semi-Final Against New Zealand
Six years ago, during a TV interview with presenter Gaurav Kapur, Virat Kohli recalled how, after Sachin Tendulkar's dismissal in the 2011 World Cup final, he stepped out to bat with the Wankhede utterly silent.
With his idol Tendulkar watching from the stands, Kohli was the reason the Wankhede erupted during this World Cup semi-final on Wednesday.
On November 5 at Eden Gardens, Kohli tied Tendulkar's record 49 ODI hundreds, then on Wednesday, he surpassed "the great man" by one. "All of this seems surreal to me, like it could be a dream." During the middle of the innings, Kohli said, "It's too good to be true."
During Kapur's YouTube program Breakfast With Champions in November 2017, Kohli spoke about how he saw his hero, Tendulkar, go out as he walked in to bat. With a laugh, Kohli said, "I felt like either the fans forgot that we were playing in India or they thought that I am the No. 11 batsman, with no hope left." Nobody was applauding. Someone just said, "Yay!" I did glance up a couple of times and asked for help.
On Wednesday, there was no shortage of applause for Kohli's achievement, as both fans and celebrities, including David Beckham, got up to join in.
"Truly a fantastic innings...," Sourav Ganguly said at Eden Gardens. Fantastic... Fifty ODI hundreds is just amazing. It will need a great deal of work to surpass his accomplishments.
Wasim Akram was one of many using social media to promote happiness. "The @imVkohli era is upon us. Thank you, Emperor," he tweeted.
"What a sense of occasion, what a knock!" wrote VVS Laxman. From a guy who has made it his habit in the World Cup, another magnificent hundred. With 49 ODI tons under his belt, Virat Kohli has officially surpassed the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. It's very wonderful to accomplish it in the World Cup semifinals. You're a champion; bow!”
Not long behind, Tendulkar wrote a moving note.
"Some teammates tricked you into caressing my feet when I initially saw you in the Indian dressing room. That day, I couldn't stop giggling. But shortly after, your enthusiasm and talent moved me. That small youngster has developed into a "Virat" player, and I am very thrilled for him.
"I'm delighted that an Indian beat my record. And it's the cherry on top to do it at my home stadium and on the biggest stage—the World Cup semifinal," Tendulkar wrote on X.
Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Press Time staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.
