On Sunday, top Indian batsman Virat Kohli celebrated his 35th birthday by scoring a record-equaling 49th ODI century against South Africa in their 2023 World Cup match at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Kohli expressed feeling thrilled whenever he got gifts and best wishes on his birthday. He felt joy knowing he could assist the team in achieving victory. In return, he thought this was the best ‘thank you’ he could offer both fans and his team.
BCCI shared a video capturing Virat Kohli’s thoughts after the game:
“I’m much happier to be in this position where I am not receiving gifts but rather I play well and I make everyone else happy because it gets a bit too much to take wishes and get gifts for my birthday. I am very happy that I could play this way and we won. A return gift from me on my birthday.”
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli on Sachin Tendulkar
Virat Kohli matched the outstanding Sachin Tendulkar’s record for ODI centuries, but still holds Tendulkar as the greatest. Kohli expressed, always looking up to Sachin Tendulkar, his enduring idol.
In response, he stated:
“Quite an emotional thing for me. I grew up idolizing him. I started to aspire to play for India watching him play and just to equal his record in ODIs is a surreal moment for me and I never thought in my wildest dreams that I’ll get here. So I just feel blessed and grateful. As I said in the post-match, for me he is always going to be number one, regardless of what happens. I am just grateful that I have been able to win games for my country like he did.”
Virat Kohli
Sachin Tendulkar did give congratulated to Virat Kohli, urging him to hit his 50th century swiftly. Kohli responded by stating:
“I aspire to do the same thing because if I do that it means that we have good chance of winning. I would love to do it a few more times in this tournament, and especially the big ones, the semis and the finals.”
Virat Kohli
India has clinically secured their top position. Their last league match is against the Netherlands. It’s scheduled in Bengaluru for Sunday, on November 12th.