It was a moment scripted for the annals of cricketing history as Virat Kohli, the illustrious Indian batsman, etched his name into the record books with his 50th ODI hundred. A feat that surpasses the record previously held by the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, Kohli achieved this milestone in the high-pressure cooker environment of a World Cup semifinal at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. The emotional resonance of the occasion was heightened by the presence of two of the most important figures in Kohli’s life – his wife Anushka Sharma and his childhood idol, Sachin Tendulkar, both bearing witness from the stands.
At 35 years old, having amassed one more ODI century than Tendulkar, Kohli did not hold back when sharing his sentiments about this accomplishment. “Look, as I said, it’s stuff of dreams. You know, Anushka was sitting right there, Sachin paaji was there in the stands. I mean, it’s very difficult for me to explain this but if I could paint the perfect picture, I would want this to be, you know, the picture,” an emotional Kohli reflected post-match, after his remarkable innings of 117 off 113 deliveries against a gritty New Zealand side.
He went on to describe the scene as nothing short of surreal, a moment he never envisioned when he first started his career, always having the aim of contributing to the team’s successes. Tendulkar, moved by the event, expressed his joy in a heartfelt social media post, noting the significance of Kohli breaking his record on such a grand stage and in the city that Tendulkar calls home. “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,” Tendulkar wrote.
Kohli’s stupendous feat during the semifinal not only carved his position as a modern great but also catapulted India to an imposing score of 397 for 4, setting the stage for what was a commanding performance in a knock-out game. Speaking about his role in the tournament, Kohli emphasized the team’s strategy that required him to play with a sense of responsibility, allowing other players the freedom to express themselves at the crease. For him, this was just about being the anchor the team needed.
“Again, a big game today, I had to kind of play the role that I’ve played throughout the tournament so that the guys around me can go and express themselves,” Kohli commented on his approach to the innings. He stressed the significance of adapting his game to the needs of the team whether it meant taking singles, hitting boundaries or digging deep to ensure a suitable platform for a late-innings assault.
This consistent selflessness has been the hallmark of Kohli’s play, always putting the team’s needs above his own and doing whatever is necessary for victory. His ability to play according to the situation, maintain composure, and perform the role designated to him by the team management has become the cornerstone of a career that now boasts 50 ODI centuries.
As Kohli saluted Tendulkar in the President’s Box amidst a sea of cheering fans and celebrities, including the likes of football icon David Beckham, the picture could not be any more perfect for the Delhi-born cricketer. A true embodiment of sporting excellence and personal determination, Kohli’s milestone not only celebrates his individual genius but also solidifies his place as a paragon for aspiring cricketers around the globe.