World Cup 2023: In an electrifying game of cricket that will be etched in the memories of fans for years, Indian cricketer Virat Kohli not only celebrated his 35th birthday with a magnificent century but also matched the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 ODI centuries. This achievement has brought Kohli to the brink of surpassing a milestone set by one of the most revered batsmen in cricket history.
The cricketing world watched in awe as Kohli, playing his 289th match, scored a scintillating 101 runs off 121 balls against South Africa. His innings, studded with 11 boundaries, was a testament to his class and unwavering focus. Under his remarkable performance, India secured a massive victory by 243 runs, a testament to their dominance in the match.
World Cup 2023: Kohli, named Man of the Match, couldn’t hide his emotions during the post-match ceremony. With his voice tinged with respect and admiration, he acknowledged the influence Tendulkar has had on his career: “It is a great honor to equal my hero’s record. He has been ‘perfect’ in terms of batting. This is an emotional moment. I remember the days watching him on TV and dreaming of playing cricket at this level. Getting appreciation from him means a lot to me.”
On the field, the cricket icon mentioned that the energy from the fans had made the match even more memorable, emphasizing how the crowd’s enthusiasm bolstered his performance: “It was a challenging match. Playing against the toughest team so far in the tournament gave us the inspiration to perform well. People made my birthday even more special.”
World Cup 2023: The response from Sachin Tendulkar to Kohli’s heartfelt words was nothing short of heartwarming. In a message that quickly went viral, Tendulkar playfully referred to his own journey over the past year, comparing the time it took him to turn from 49 to 50 years old, and expressed his wish for Kohli to convert his 49 to 50 centuries in a much shorter span. His congratulatory note read, “Virat played brilliantly. It took me 365 days to turn 49 to 50 (years old). I hope you will reach 49 to 50 (centuries) and break my record in the next few days. Congratulations.”
This exchange between two titans of Indian cricket has not just won the hearts of millions of cricket fans, but has also beautifully demonstrated the camaraderie and mutual respect that exists between sportspeople, regardless of their age or era. As Virat Kohli stands on the precipice of cricketing glory, it is clear that the spirit of cricket is not just about records, but also about the legacy left behind for future generations to cherish and aspire to.
Image Credit – indiatoday