Virat Kohli on his 35th birthday scored an unbeaten 101 against South Africa to equal Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 centuries in ODI cricket history. Kohli’s century helped India post 326/5 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. On a wicket that deteriorated with time, Kohli played with patience and stitched partnerships in the middle overs. But when South African batters walked out for the run chase, their lineup collapsed like a pack of cards. After India’s 243-run win, Kohli thanked the ground staff for preparing a sporting pitch as India registered their eighth win on the trot in World Cup 2023.
The video of Kohli posing with the groundstaff has been making rounds on social media.
"It is all too much for me to take in now, to equal my hero’s record is something special for me. He is perfection when it comes to batting. But I am never going to be as good as him," Kohli said during the post-match presentation.
The 35-year-old recalled watching Tendulkar on TV as a kid after equalling his feat.
"It's a very emotional moment for me, I know where I come from. I know the days where I have been watched him on TV, and just to get that appreciation from him means a lot to me," added Kohli.
Kohli said he has been enjoying his cricket at the moment.
"I'm enjoying playing cricket, that is more important to me than phases. I'm just happy that God has blessed me with that enjoyment. I'm just happy that I'm being able to do what I have done over the years," he said.
The former Indian captain said that playing against South Africa side that has dominated sides barring the Netherlands was a challenge he was looking forward to.
"It was a big game, probably playing the toughest team in the tournament. There was a motivation to do well. Because it happened on my birthday, it becomes special and the people made it more special for me," he added.
He lauded openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill for getting India off to a blazing start.
"People from the outside look at the game in a bit of a different way. When the openers start well, you feel it is a belter but the conditions slowed down drastically.
"I was happy form that perspective. Once you got more than 315, we knew that we were above par," he added.
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