By Prior Beharry
SACHIN Tendulkar praises Viral Kohli for surpassing his record for most hundreds in One-day Internationals (ODIs).
Moments after Kohli scored his 50th century during the ICC World Cup semi-final against New Zealand at Wankhede on Wednesday, Tendulkar said Kohli had touched his heart.
Tendulkar posted on Facebook, “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 it on the biggest stage – in the World Cup Semi-Final – and at my home ground is the icing on the cake.”
India beat the Kiwis by 70 runs after posting a massive total of 397 for 4.
Tendulkar and Kohli’s wife were among the spectators.
Kohli top scored with 117 from 13 balls and was not given the Player of the Match award since Mohammed Shami 7 for 57 broke the back of New Zealand who did not make it easy for India. Shami is the fastest to 50 wickets in World Cups and now has the most five-fors.
Daryl Mitchell 134 was a thorn in the side of the hosts. He was aided with 69 from his skipper Kane Williamson. They shared in a third-wicket partnership of 181.
Kohli, who celebrated his 35th birthday on November 5, has scored 3,794 runs from 291 ODIs at an average of 58.69 with a high score of 183.
Tendulkar, during his career, played 463 ODIs scoring 18,426 runs at an average of 44.83 with 49 centuries. He retired in 2013.
