Virat Kohli equaled Sachin Tendulkar’s record 100 in one-day internationals by 49 as India hammered South Africa by 243 in the World Cup on Sunday, the superstar batsman describing the feat as “a dream come true”.
On his 35th birthday, Kohli reached the landmark in 119 balls, including 10 fours, at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
“It’s a huge honor to equal my hero’s record. He is perfect with the bat. It is an emotional moment,” said Kohli.
It took him 277 innings to score 49 hundreds at this level compared to the 438 required by fellow India 2011 World Cup winner Tendulkar.
Kohli’s 101 not out was the centerpiece of India’s 326-5 before their powerful attack cleaned up as Rohit Sharma’s men won eight from eight in the tournament.
He shared a third-wicket stand of 134 with Shreyas Iyer (77) after India captain Rohit won the toss. Fresh from dismissing Sri Lanka for just 55 in the 1996 champions’ 302-run run, India triggered another collapse as South Africa were dismissed for 83.
It was the second-lowest ODI total by the Proteas, after their 69 against Australia in Sydney in 1993, and the lowest in a World Cup. South Africa are now likely to face Australia in the semi-finals.
Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja did most of the damage with 5-33, with India now assured of finishing the pool stage on top, while South Africa’s lower-order batsman Marco Jansen’s 14 was the top score of the innings.
Like India, South Africa have already secured their semi-final spot. It was South Africa’s second defeat in the pool after a stunning loss to the Netherlands away from the Test, and the difference between the top two teams on Sunday was almost as shocking as the reverse.
Kohli, who now averages over 108 in the World Cup, said during the innings break: “Any opportunity to play for India is big, to be able to strengthen on my birthday is the stuff of dreams. It’s something you dream about as a kid.”
Tendulkar led tributes to Kohli, India’s retired great, writing on X, earlier Twitter: “Good game Virat. Earlier this year, it took me 365 days to go from 49 to 50 (years old). I hope you get from 49 to 50 and beat my record in the next few days. Congratulations.” India had South Africa’s Quinton de Kock, the tournament’s top run-scorer, for just five when he bowled Mohammed Siraj before Jadeja bowled Proteas captain Tembu Bavuma.
“We know the challenge, we know the story around us in the pursuit. I didn’t do it right today,” Bavuma admitted.
Rohit opened the innings in style with a typically brisk 40 before being caught well by Bavuma at mid-off. Kohli picked up where he left off in his 88 against Sri Lanka with successive fours off fast bowler Kagiso Rabada.
