'An Indian Broke My Record...': Sachin Tendulkar Reacts to Virat Kohli Smashing 50th ODI Hundred

India’s Virat Kohli scored a record 50th one-day international hundred during the semi-final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 semi-final between India and New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday.

Kohli, 35, reached his century — his third of the tournament — with a two off fast bowler Lockie Ferguson, having faced 106 balls, hitting eight fours and a six, to break the record of 49 ODI hundreds he had shared with Sachin Tendulkar.

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He did so on his former India team-mate’s home ground, with Tendulkar among those applauding at the Wankhede Stadium as Kohli bowed towards his childhood hero and fellow 2011 World Cup winner.

The whole heft of the achievement was magnified by the fact that November 15 also was the last time Tendulkar batted in an international match for India, a Test against the West Indies at this venue.

Kohli after reaching the landmark also celebrated by bowing down to Tendulkar even as he was being showered by applause from the stands.

Kohli had moved level with Tendulkar’s all-time mark of 49 centuries on his 35th birthday in the World Cup group stage win over South Africa 10 days ago.

“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 posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“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,” he added in his post.

” A big, big congratulations to Virat, he made it look easy, he’s gone to 50 hundreds in ODI format. Incredible, super, we are all super proud of him. I still remember the first day when he got into the Indian dressing room. The other players played prank on him and made him touch my feet saying that this is tradition, you have to touch his feet to take his blessings, that’s when you are going to have a good career. I was laughing away. Today to see the same player grow so beautifully and achieve so many laurels for our country, I am so proud,” Sachin Tendulkar told the broadcasters.

This was Kohli’s 279th ODI innings, with the former India captain having also scored a further 71 fifties in addition to his 50 hundreds.

ICC Cricket World Cup Semi-final: India vs New Zealand – LIVE

Dropped on 107, Kohli was eventually out for 117 when he pulled Tim Southee low to Devon Conway at deep square leg.

(With inputs from Agencies)