CWC 2023: Virat Kohli scored his 49th century of his ODI career against South Africa. He played a memorable innings against the African team at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Kohli has now equalled Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most centuries in ODIs, achieved on Sunday (November 5th). The special thing is that he achieved this milestone on his 35th birthday.
Sachin scored 49 centuries in fewer innings than anyone else:
Sachin played 463 matches in his ODI career. During this time, he scored 18,426 runs in 452 innings. His average was 44.83. Tendulkar scored 49 centuries and 96 half-centuries. Virat achieved this milestone in his 277th inning. Kohli completed his 49th century against South Africa in the 49th over. He equalled Tendulkar’s record by scoring one run off Kagiso Rabada’s third ball.
Tendulkar congratulated Kohli:
Sachin Tendulkar has praised Virat Kohli for equaling his record of 49 centuries. He wrote on Twitter, “Virat, you played well. It took me 365 days to reach from 49 to 50 centuries. I hope you will reach 50 in the next few days and break my record. Congratulations.”
Well played Virat.
It took me 365 days to go from 49 to 50 earlier this year. I hope you go from 49 to 50 and break my record in the next few days.
Congratulations!!#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/PVe4iXfGFk— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 5, 2023
Virat has scored 85 runs, not out 55 runs, 16 runs, not out 103 runs, 95 runs, zero, 88 runs, and 100* runs in this World Cup. Today, by scoring a century, Kohli has become the seventh player to score a century on his birthday in ODIs. Before him, Tom Latham, Ross Taylor, Sanath Jayasuriya, Michael Marsh, Sachin Tendulkar, and Vinod Kambli have achieved this feat before.
