(Image Source: Reuters)
[Saba Sports News] In the ICC World Cup 2023 clash between India and South Africa, India secured a resounding 243-run victory, and Virat Kohli equaled Sachin Tendulkar’s milestone of 49 one-day international centuries. Following Kohli’s 49th century, an old tweet from him, dating back 13 years, gained widespread attention on social media. Currently, Kohli is on a quest to achieve a world record by scoring his 50th ODI century, and the upcoming match against the Netherlands presents a promising opportunity for him to reach this remarkable feat.
After scoring 88 in the game against Sri Lanka, Kohli bounced back with an unbeaten 101, playing a pivotal role in India’s comprehensive 243-run triumph over the formidable South African team. It took Kohli 277 innings to reach his 49th century. Interestingly, he had also scored his first ODI century at the same venue in 2009. In an old tweet posted on March 16, 2010, Kohli had expressed his aspiration to amass numerous runs for the Indian team, demonstrating his dedication to the sport.
He tweeted, “Looking forward to scoring lots of runs for my team.”
During the post-match presentation, Kohli shared his emotions about matching Sachin Tendulkar’s record and his gratitude for Sachin’s congratulatory message. He reflected on his childhood memories of watching the cricket legend and the significance of equaling his records.
Kohli remarked, “It is overwhelming for me right now; matching my hero’s record holds a special place in my heart. When it comes to batting, he is the epitome of perfection. I may never reach his level of greatness, but this is an incredibly emotional moment for me. I remember where I started, those days watching him on TV, and receiving appreciation from him means the world to me.”
Sachin Tendulkar, in anticipation of Kohli surpassing his record, expressed his hope through a heartfelt message. Kohli, who equaled Sachin’s record with a century at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, is on the brink of exceeding his idol’s one-day international century record. While Sachin accomplished this feat in 452 innings, Kohli is set to achieve it in significantly fewer innings, having needed 175 fewer innings. Sachin conveyed his wish on social media, stating, “It took me 365 days to go from 49 to 50 (years old) earlier this year. I hope you go from 49 to 50 and break my record in the next few days. Congratulations.