Virat Kohli expressed deep reverence for Sachin Tendulkar after equalling the cricketing legend’s world record of 49 One-Day International (ODI) centuries during India’s ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match against South Africa. Kohli, who had narrowly missed this historic century in previous 2023 World Cup matches, finally achieved this milestone on his 35th birthday as India secured a resounding 243-run victory over South Africa at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens on November 5.
Kohli, unbeaten at 101 off 121 balls, reached this significant feat in the first innings at the iconic Eden Gardens, the same venue where he had notched his maiden ODI century in 2009. Following India’s dismissal of South Africa for a meager total of 83, Kohli elaborated on his sentiments about this century that put him on par with his idol Tendulkar in the 50-over format.
During the post-match ceremony, the 35-year-old expressed deep respect for his idol, stating that matching his ODI record was a tremendous honor. He recognized the inevitability of comparisons but modestly stressed that he would never reach the same level as Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar, he noted, embodies batting perfection and will always remain his hero, regardless of future achievements.
Kohli’s achievement is made even more special by the fact that Tendulkar took 452 innings to reach his 49 ODI centuries, while Kohli reached the same milestone in just 277 innings.
With four half-centuries and two centuries in eight matches during the ongoing Cricket World Cup, Kohli’s fans eagerly anticipate his record-breaking 50th ODI century in Team India’s next outing against the Netherlands, considering his current form.
Kohli had faced a nearly three-year drought without scoring an international century, which ended in September 2022 during a match in the Asia Cup. Now, he has returned to being one of Team India’s top run-scorers, but what matters most to him is the sheer joy he derives from playing the game again.
“I would say I am enjoying myself playing cricket all over again,” he said, appreciating the renewed enthusiasm that he had once lost. Kohli is currently the second leading run-scorer in the 2023 World Cup, with 543 runs in eight matches and an impressive average of 108.60, just seven runs behind the top scorer, Quinton de Kock of South Africa.
Team India still has at least two more matches in the tournament, with their final group game against the Netherlands on November 12, which will conclude the tournament’s group stage, and the upcoming semi-final fixture.
