Virat Kohli set a new benchmark as he recorded his 50th ODI century to overtake fellow India great Sachin Tendulkar as New Zealand were put to the sword in their World Cup semi-final.
Kohli equalled the record earlier this month and is now out in front as Tendulkar watched his former team-mate compile a superlative 117 off 113 balls to underpin India’s 397 for four in Mumbai.
After moving to three figures, Kohli jumped up and punched the air before sinking to his knees and soaking up the cacophonous applause from the likes of Tendulkar and former footballer David Beckham.
Tendulkar wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “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.’
Kohli, himself, was overcome with emotion and spoke after India’s innings had finished, saying: ‘It’s the stuff of dreams. Anushka [Sharma] was sitting right there. Sachin [Tendulkar] was in the stands. It’s very difficult to explain this. If I could paint the perfect picture, I would want this to be the picture.
‘My life partner, the person I love the most, she is sitting there. My hero Sachin is sitting there. I was able to get the 50th in front of them and these fans in such a historic venue. It was amazing.
‘In a big game anything over 330 or 340 you happy with so to get close to 400 is great. A lot of credit to Shreyas Iyer for the way he batted so freely. Also to Rohit at the top, Shubman at the top. Then KL Rahul finishing with a flurry.
‘I think everyone did their roles to perfection, did their jobs for the team. It was a perfect batting performance from us. Just one half of the game is done and we still have to be professional with the ball and do what we have done so far in the tournament.’
Shreyas Iyer thumped 105 off just 70 balls while there were contributions from captain Rohit Sharma (47), Shubman Gull (80no) and KL Rahul (39), with New Zealand struggling to contain their opponents.
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