Virat Kohli scores 50th ODI century at Cricket World Cup to surpass his ‘hero’ Sachin Tendulkar

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Virat Kohli has passed Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar to score the most one-day international centuries in the history of the game.

“King Kohli” notched his 50th ODI ton, passing the “Little Master’s” mark of 49 — a record few thought would ever be broken — to power India into the World Cup final with a win over New Zealand on Wednesday night.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Virat Kohli passes Sachin Tendulkar’s ODI record for centuries.

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Kohli raised his arms then sank to his knees and bowed to the fans with his helmet off after reaching three figures in the hosts’ eventually emphatic semi-final triumph at the Wankhede stadium.

In commentary, former New Zealand bowler Simon Doull described Kohli’s epic moment as a “polite celebration and a little nod to the master”.

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Kohli was 100 not out after facing 106 balls in what had been a virtually chanceless innings to that point.

The now 50-year-old Tendulkar, the highest run-scorer in ODI and Test cricket, was in the crowd in Mumbai to see the latest landmark reached by Kohli, who was eventually dismissed for 117 and applauded off the field by India’s fans.

Kohli, 15 years Tendulkar’s junior, was appearing in his 279th match in ODIs after making his debut in the 50-over format in 2008.

Virat Kohli dropped to his knees in celebration after breaking his hero Sachin Tendulkar’s record. Credit: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

It was his third century at this World Cup, which he is making his own. He has now scored 711 runs in this edition, the most by any batter in a men’s World Cup, surpassing Tendulkar’s 673 in 2003. His eight scores of 50-plus is also a record for a single tournament.

“It’s the stuff of dreams, Anushka (his wife) was sitting right there, Sachin … was there in the stands,” Kohli said in the innings break.

“It’s very difficult for me to explain this, but if I could paint the perfect picture, I would want this to be the picture.

“My life partner, the person I love the most, she’s sitting there. My hero, he’s sitting there. And I was able to get the 50th in front of all of them and all these fans at Wankhede as well, such a historic venue. It was amazing.”

The batting legend stands alone. Credit: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Indian cricket commentary doyen Harsha Bhogle said Kohli is peerless.

“Fifty arrives for Virat Kohli, and he stands alone on that summit, nobody else is there,” he said when the batting legend brought up the ton.

“The feeling of achievement will be tinged with a little bit of humility in the fact that he’s gone past someone that he would’ve absolutely adored. What a career this is.”

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