Virat Kohli made history and became the first batsman to score 50 one day international centuries during the match against New Zealand. The former captain surpassed the previous record holder Sachin Tendulkar who had scored 49 ODI centuries. Virat shattered this record during the first semi-final match of the ICC cricket World Cup 2023.
India beat New Zealand by 70 runs and qualified for the final of the World Cup after 12 years. Virat Kohli scored 117 runs off 113 balls with a strike rate of 103.54. Virat expressed his gratitude to his idol Sachin Tendulkar for inspiring him throughout his career.
Virat Kohli on breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 ODI Centuries
“I said it in Kolkata, it feels great for me honestly,” Virat Kohli said to the host broadcaster. “It feels too good to be true, like the stuff of dreams. I never thought it would be like this in my career. Just glad everything came together so nicely and we put a great total on the board”, said Virat Kohli during the innings break.
“As I said stuff of dreams. Anushka was sitting right there, Sachin paaji was here too. Difficult to explain this. If I could paint a perfect picture I would want this to be the picture. My life partner, the person I love the most is sitting there, my hero is sitting there and I was able to get the 50th (ODI hundred) in front of all of them and all these stands in Wankhede as well, such a history venue so it was amazing,” he added.
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“The most important thing for me is to make my team win. Whatever needs to be done to do that, I’ll do it. I have to play a role and dig deep so the other batters can play their role around me. That’s the only key to consistency, playing for your team at all times,” he said.
