Former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar conveyed a heartfelt message following Virat Kohli's remarkable feat of slamming his 50th ODI century against New Zealand, breaking Tendulkar's record for the most ODI centuries at Wankhede Stadium.
In a stellar performance, Kohli scored 117 off 113 deliveries, contributing significantly to India's total of 397/4 in the first semi-final of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023.
Witnessing Kohli's batting brilliance, Tendulkar, present in the stands, applauded the achievement, and Kohli reciprocated with a bow as a gesture of appreciation.
Taking to Instagram, Tendulkar expressed his joy at an Indian cricketer surpassing his record, showcasing the camaraderie and mutual respect among cricketing legends. The message reflects the pride Tendulkar feels in passing the torch to the next generation of Indian cricket greatness.
"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. But soon, you touched my heart with your passion and skill. I am so happy that that young boy has grown into a 'Virat' player.
I couldn't be happier that an Indian broke my record. And to do i on the biggest stage - in the World Cup Semi-Final - and at my home ground is the icing on the cake.
Shreyas Iyer's impressive knock of 105, combined with KL Rahul's late blitz of 39 runs, propelled India to a formidable total of 397/4 in 50 overs on a fluctuating pitch.
The late carnage in the innings proved pivotal in elevating India's score to such heights, creating a challenging target for New Zealand. Now, New Zealand faces the task of chasing down 398 runs in 50 overs to secure their spot in the finals, promising an enthralling and high-stakes battle in the remainder of the match.
(With Agency Inputs)
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