In the world of cricket, records are not just numbers, but they are monumental legacies etched in the annals of the sport’s rich history. An iconic chapter was added to this history when Indian cricketing prodigy, Virat Kohli, sent waves of delight across the nation by surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most centuries in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Despite the Indian team’s heart-wrenching defeat in the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup held on their own turf, the event was illuminated by Virat Kohli’s exceptional batting performances—a silver lining for the cricket-crazy nation.
The air was thick with expectation every single time Virat stepped onto the field during the World Cup, and he lived up to the hype by smashing record after record, firmly solidifying his legacy as a modern great. The story of the tournament was undoubtedly his incredible feat of becoming the first-ever batsman in the history of the sport to notch up 50 ODI centuries, outshining even the master blaster himself.
Sachin Tendulkar, whose records were the benchmarks for batting excellence, gracefully acknowledged Virat’s achievement. In an engaging interaction captured on video by ESPNCricinfo, Sachin conveyed his happiness for Virat and for the record remaining with an Indian cricketer. “I am so pleased he has been able to do that. I am sure that the journey has not stopped. There is a lot of cricket left in him, a lot of runs left in him. A lot of hunger and desire to achieve more for the country. I am happy that the record continues to stay with India. I have always said that the record belongs to India and it has stayed with India,” Sachin remarked with a sense of pride and optimism for what is yet to come from Virat.
During the World Cup, Virat emerged as the top run-getter, amassing 765 runs in 11 matches at an awe-inspiring average of 95.62, which included three centuries and six fifties—the highest being an impressive 117. This tally saw him surpass Sachin’s formidable total of 673 runs at the 2003 World Cup, setting a new benchmark for the most runs scored in a single edition of the tournament.
Moreover, the batting maestro went on to break yet another of Sachin’s records by clocking the most fifty-plus scores in a single World Cup event. These milestones are a testimony to Virat’s sustained excellence and his insatiable thirst to be the best.
Looking beyond the World Cup, Virat has had an extraordinary year in ODIs. Over the course of 27 matches in the calendar year, he has scored a staggering 1,377 runs at an average of 72.47, wielding his willow with a strike rate of over 99. His prowess is further highlighted by his six centuries and eight fifties in just 24 innings, with a highest score of an unbeaten 166, proving that his batting caliber remains unmatched.
As fans and cricket enthusiasts revel in the achievements of Virat Kohli and look forward to an era where his bat continues to carve historic feats, Sachin’s encouraging words remain emblematic of the mutual respect and camaraderie that champions share.
While the cricketing battles are fought on the field, they are celebrated with equal fervor off it, with fans eagerly waiting for updates and festivities around the sport. For those who wish to catch the wave of cricket fever, updates on the India vs Australia series and schedules are just around the corner. Platforms like JioSaavn provide the latest in cricket melodies, while social media followers can find real-time sports news on sites like Facebook and Twitter. Additionally, aficionados of the game can download the NDTV Cricket app available on both Android and iOS for comprehensive coverage and insights into the cricketing universe.
This narrative of cricket, where legends celebrate the rise of future maestros, is a constant reminder that while records may be surpassed, the spirit of the game forever remains the eternal victor.