IND vs NED: Virat Kohli Opens Up On Equaling Sachin Tendulkar’s Record, Says 'It's A Surreal Moment'

Virat Kohli, on Sunday (November 5), equaled Sachin Tendulkar’s record of most centuries in One-Day Internationals. The former India captain achieved an incredible feat during the game against South Africa at the Eden Gardens.

Virat Kohli starred with the bat by scoring an unbeaten century to help India thrash South Africa by a record margin of 243 runs and extend their winning run in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. He scored an unbeaten 101 off 121 balls to help India score 326 for 5 in the allotted 50 overs. In reply, South Africa were bowled out for just 83 runs with Ravindra Jadeja registering career-best figures of 5 for 33.

One of the major talking points from the game was Virat Kohli equaling Tendulkar’s record. While Tendulkar hit his 49th century in the 451st innings, it took his former teammate only 277 innings to achieve the same milestone. And after the win over the Proteas, Virat Kohli talked about Tendulkar and his impact on his career. In a video posted by the BCCI, the India batting mainstay stated how Tendulkar inspired him to play cricket.

“Quite an emotional thing for me. I grew up idolizing him. I started to aspire to play for India watching him play and just to equal his record in ODIs is a surreal moment for me. I never thought in my wildest dreams that I’ll get here, so I just feel blessed and grateful,” said Virat Kohli.

“As I said in the post-match [presentation ceremony], for me, he’s always going to be number one, regardless of whatever happens. But I am just happy that my journey has come so far that I’ve been able to make it till here and to be able to win games for my country like he did,” he added.

From the city of Joy ?

On his 35th, he got to his 4⃣9⃣th ODI ton ?

Surreal and RAW emotions: "?? ??? ???" with man of the moment – Virat Kohli ??#TeamIndia | #CWC23 | #MenInBlue | #INDvSA

WATCH ?? – By @28anand

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 6, 2023

Virat Kohli’s performance in the World Cup so far:

Virat Kohli has been in stunning form in the ongoing World Cup. He is currently India’s highest run-scorer and is only behind South Africa’s Quinton de Kock by 7 runs in the list of highest run-scorers. While de Kock has scored 550 runs, Kohli has piled up 543 runs at an average of 109.

The right-handed batsman has hit two centuries and four half-centuries so far. This is also the first time that he has touched the 500-run mark in the ODI World Cup in his career. In the 2011 World Cup, he scored 282 runs before scoring 305 and 443 runs in the 2015 and 2011 editions respectively. With form on his side, he will be looking to guide India to their third ODI World Cup title.