"I am so proud,": Sachin Tendulkar congratulates Virat Kohli on scoring 50 ODI centuries

Virat Kohli broke Sachin Tendulkar's multiple batting records with his one knock.

Virat Kohli has played a record-breaking knock against New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 semi-finals encounter. Kohli became the first ever batter to score 50 ODI centuries as well as more than 700 runs in one World Cup edition. With his 117-run knock, Virat Kohli broke two of Sachin Tendulkar's record. India posted 397 runs on the board and gave New Zealand the chance to chase 398 runs under lights.

Virat Kohli broke Sachin’s record for the highest number of ODI centuries as well as his 673-run mark in one World Cup edition. Virat took only 279 ODI innings to complete his 50th ODI century; these numbers look staggering and testify to his consistency in the format. Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar talked about Virat Kohli in the mid-innings and showered huge praise on India’s premier limited-overs batter.

Sachin Tendulkar says, 'proud of Virat Kohli'

Sachin Tendulkar congratulated Virat Kohli for his magnificent effort in the format and for going past his record in no time. Sachin said, “A big, big congratulations to Virat; he made it look easy; he's gone to 50 hundreds in the ODI format. Incredible, super, we are all super proud of him.” Virat Kohli was part of Indian camp when Sachin Tendulkar was playing. Sachin and Virat shared Indian dressing room for about 5 years in international cricket.

Sachin Tendulkar also remembered the time when Virat was first inducted into Indian dressing room and how teammates played a prank on him. Sachin revealed, “I still remember the first day when he got into the Indian dressing room. The other players played a prank on him and made him touch my feet, saying that this is tradition; you have to touch his feet to take his blessings; that's when you are going to have a good career. I was laughing away."

Everyone present at Wankhede Stadium was so proud to watch Virat Kohli set new standards for batting. Sachin himself said that when he looks at Virat now, he feels proud. Sachin said, "Today, to see the same player grow so beautifully and achieve so many laurels for our country, I am so proud.” Virat is 20 centuries away from breaking Sachin’s record of 100 centuries in international cricket. He currently has 80 international centuries under his name.