New Delhi: India’s batting maestro Virat Kohli scripted history on Wednesday by becoming the first man in the world to smash 50 centuries in ODI Cricket.
He dethroned none other than the “God of Cricket” Sachin Tendulkar by zooming past his record of 49 ODI centuries with a splendid 117-run knock against New Zealand at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
Sachin’s standing ovation for Virat
On the monumental occasion of Virat’s 50th century, Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar, who himself witnessed Virat breaking his record, stood up from his seat and wholeheartedly clapped for the ace cricketer when he took the 100th run and achieved this memorable feat.
The Moment Virat Kohli hits 50th Odi Century. #ViratKohli𓃵pic.twitter.com/oUDjalJOoG
— Cricpedia Edits (@Cricpedia_edits) November 15, 2023
Later, Tendulkar also took to his Twitter (Now X) handle and gave an epic reaction to Virat Kohli’s record-shattering historical knock. Congratulating Virat for his success, Sachin penned down an emotional note in which he said that Virat Kohli has touched his heart with passion and skills.
He wrote, “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. But soon, you touched my heart with your passion and skill.
“I am so happy that that young boy has grown into a ‘Virat’ player. 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.” the World Cup winner added.
Check out Sachin’s Tweet here:
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. But soon, you touched my heart with your passion and skill. I am so happy that that young boy has grown into a ‘Virat’ player.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 15, 2023
The virtuoso batter took just 277 innings to surpass his Idol’s record who took 451 innings to do the same. He completed his ton in the 42nd over of the Indian innings, giving men in blue a perfect platform for heading towards a mammoth total against arch-rival New Zealand.
Virat Kohli Bowing Down To Sachin Tendulkar After Scoring 50th International Ton 🫶😍#INDvsNZ #ViratKohli𓃵 pic.twitter.com/dZjzuB0F7S
— Lucifer 45 (@1m_lucifer45) November 15, 2023
Later in the game, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul continued exactly from where Virat left and helped India get to a massive score of 397/4 (50) with their remarkable respective knocks of 105 (70) and 39* (20).
This is not only India’s highest score in any World Cup Knockout match but is also the highest total put up by any team in the history of the tournament.
