Last Update on: November 5th, 2023 at 09:52 pm
Virat Kohli said it's an emotional moment for him to equal Sachin Tendulkar's record.
India hammered South Africa by 243 runs to win 8 game on trot.
The India National Cricket Team batting maestro Virat Kohli was very emotional after equalling the all-time century-hitting record of his ‘hero’ Sachin Tendulkar in the One Day International (ODI) cricket.
Kohli finally matched Tendulkar’s 49 ODI centuries feat by hitting a ton against the South Africa National Cricket Team at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on his 35th birthday on Sunday, November 5.
Kohli showcased a batting masterclass and batted exceptionally well on a difficult batting surface. He remained unbeaten at the score of 101 to guide India to a gigantic total of 326/5.
Kohli won the Player of the Match award and while speaking during the post-match presentation ceremony, he said that equalling Tendulkar’s record his a special and emotional moment for him.
“(On Sachin’s message) It is all too much for me to take in now, to equal my hero’s record is something special for me. He is perfection when it comes to batting. It’s a very emotional moment for me. I know where I come from, I know the days I have watched him on TV. Just to get that appreciation from him means a lot to me.”
There was a motivation to do well – Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli further said that he had a lot of motivation to do well against the Proteas and it was not just another game for him. He said:
“It was a big game, probably playing the toughest team in the tournament. There was a motivation to do well. Because it happened on my birthday, it becomes special and the people made it more special for me. I did wake up with that excitement that today is not just another game.”
Virat Kohli added that the conditions were not easy to bat on as it looked from the outside. He also spoke about the message he got from the dressing room during his innings. He said:
“People from the outside look at the game in a bit of a different way. When the openers start well, it feels it is a belter and everyone has to play that way. But as the ball got older, the conditions slowed down drastically.
“The message was clear, keep batting around me. I was happy from that perspective. Once we got more than 315, we knew that we were above par. I’m enjoying myself, playing cricket all over again, that is more important to me than phases. I’m just happy that God has blessed me with that enjoyment. I’m just happy that I’m being able to do what I have done over all these years.”
Defending the target in the match, India bowled out South Africa for 83 in 27.1 overs to bag a mammoth victory by 243 runs.
