Virat Kohli has shown the world that nothing is impossible for him. Quite a few ruled him out during the much-talked-about lean patch between 2020 and 2022, but the former captain has bounced back in style, breaking records at will in the ODI World Cup year. Kohli had a dream in the ODI World Cup even through India faltered at the final hurdle against Australia in November.
Virat Kohli broke his idol Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most ODI hundreds, going past the Master Blaster’s tally of 49. Incidentally, Virat Kohli hit his 50th ODI hundred in the World Cup semi-final with Tendulkar watching the action from the stands at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. Kohli also broke a 20-year-old Tendulkar record for the most runs scored in a single edition of the ODI World Cup as he finished the 2023 edition with a staggering tally of 765 runs in 11 matches.
Not many would have imagined someone to step up and go past Sachin Tendulkar’s tally of 49 ODI hundreds, but Virat Kohli got there 173 matches faster than the legendary opener.
Virat Kohli, 35, has a total of 80 international hundreds and over 26,000 runs across all formats of the game. The former captain has seens plenty of highs and some lows too, but he seems to be hungrier than ever.
CRICKETING LOGIC
However, legendary West Indies cricketer Brian Lara feels that it will be tough for Virat Kohli break Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time record of 100 international hundreds. Lara highlighted that Kohli is not getting any younger and age will catch up with the batting star, who still is one of the fittest cricketers going around.
“How old is Kohli now? 35, right? He has 80 but still needs 20. If he scores five centuries every year, he would need four more years to equal Tendulkar. Kohli will be 39 then. Tough job, very tough job,” Lara told ABP.
“I can’t say with certainty, no one can. Those saying Kohli will break Tendulkar’s 100-centuries record won’t be taking cricketing logic into account. 20 centuries seem a long way away. Most cricketers can’t score that in their entire career. I won’t be adventurous and say Kohli will do it. Age doesn’t stop for anyone,” he added.
Virat Kohli was emotional during the World Cup as he paid rich tribute to Sachin Tendulkar after he equalled and eventually went on break his idol’s record. In a heart-warming chat after No. 49, Kohli said: “To equal my hero’s record, it’s quite special for me. I grew up watching him bat and he’s perfection when it comes to batting. I will never be as good as him. He is always going to be my hero whatever happens.”
Virat Kohli has taken an extended break after the World Cup final heartbreak. He did not feature in the 5-match T20I series against Australia at home. He will also not be part of the white-ball leg of India’s tour of South Africa, starting December 10. Kohli will return to action in the 2-Test series against South Africa, starting December 26.
