Young boy has grown into a ‘Virat’ player: Sachin Tendulkar after Kohli’s record-breaking ton – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Achieving the rare feat of surpassing your idol in front of him is a distinction not many can claim, yet Virat Kohli accomplished precisely that during the World Cup semi-final against New Zealand on Wednesday.
Kohli notched up a 50th ODI century to break Cricket legend Sachin Tendukar’s record at his home Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Tendulkar praised Kohli, expressing his joy that a fellow Indian had surpassed his record for the most one-day international hundreds.He conveyed to Kohli that he “couldn’t be happier” about the accomplishment.

“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,” Tendulkar wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“But soon, you touched my heart with your passion and skill. 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.”
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.

On Wednesday, Kohli went onto make 117 as India piled up 397-4 in their innings.