{"id":317913,"date":"2023-11-16T13:42:04","date_gmt":"2023-11-16T13:42:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/popularindinews.com\/?p=317913"},"modified":"2023-11-16T13:42:04","modified_gmt":"2023-11-16T13:42:04","slug":"master-kohli-paints-perfect-picture-to-eclipse-tendulkar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/popularindinews.com\/sport\/master-kohli-paints-perfect-picture-to-eclipse-tendulkar\/","title":{"rendered":"Master Kohli paints ‘perfect picture’ to eclipse Tendulkar"},"content":{"rendered":"

‘My life partner, the person I love the most, she’s sitting there. My hero, he’s sitting there.’<\/strong><\/p>\n

Virat Kohli said he had painted the perfect picture after confirming his place as cricket’s modern-day master batsman with a record 50th One-Day International hundred in his team’s World Cup semi-final win over New Zealand in Mumbai on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

After equalling Sachin Tendulkar’s mark of 49 ODI hundreds against South Africa on his 35th birthday this month, Kohli claimed the record at the Wankhede Stadium with a knock of 117.<\/p>\n

Tendulkar made his 49th hundred in his 451st innings and his tally was widely considered to be one that would never be surpassed.<\/p>\n

Kohli, however, needed only 279 matches to eclipse his cricketing idol.<\/p>\n

The 35-year-old ran hard to complete two runs off fast bowler Lockie Ferguson and reach three figures before leaping up and punched the air in delight.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

He removed his helmet, kept his bat on the ground and bowed towards the stands where his wife Anushka Sharma and Tendulkar stood and applauded among other Bollywood celebrities.<\/p>\n

“It’s stuff of dreams, Anushka was sitting right there, Sachin paaji<\/em> (elder brother) was there in the stands,” Kohli said.<\/p>\n

“I mean, it’s very difficult for me to explain this, but if I could paint the perfect picture, I would want this to be the picture.<\/p>\n

“My life partner, the person I love the most, she’s sitting there. My hero, he’s sitting there. And I was able to get the 50th in front of all of them and all these fans in such a historic venue. It was amazing.”<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Kohli’s third hundred of the tournament was enough to help unbeaten India beat New Zealand by 70 runs and seal a spot in Sunday’s final in Ahmedabad against Australia or South Africa.<\/p>\n

“This all feels like a dream, honestly. It’s too good to be true. It feels surreal. I never thought I’d be here ever in my career,” Kohli said.<\/p>\n

“Just to help the team so many times. Again a big game today and I played the role I have throughout the tournament so that the guys around me could express themselves.<\/p>\n

“I am glad things came together so nicely and we could put a good total on the board.”<\/p>\n

Tendulkar was effusive in his praise of Kohli.<\/p>\n

“The first time I met you in the Indian dressing room, you were pranked by other team mates into touching my feet. I couldn’t stop laughing that day,” Tendulkar, who hails from Mumbai, said on social media platform X.<\/p>\n

“But soon, you touched my heart with your passion and skill. I am so happy that that young boy has grown into a Virat<\/em> (massive) player.<\/p>\n

“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.”<\/p>\n