World Cup 2023: 'Couldn't be happier', Sachin Tendulkar pens emotional note after Virat Kohli's record-breaking ton

Virat Kohli on Wednesday scaled new heights with his record-breaking 50th ODI century during India’s Cricket World Cup semi-final against New Zealand in Mumbai. The century helped Virat Kohli surpass Sachin Tendulkar for most ODI centuries, and the Master Blaster took to social media to congratulate the batter.

World Cup 2023: News | Schedule | Results | Points table

“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,” Tendulkar posted on micro-blogging site ‘X’.

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… pic.twitter.com/KcdoPwgzkX

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 15, 2023

Kohli and Shreyas Iyer’s centuries helped India post 397 on the board, and in reply, New Zealand were 30/1 in 5.4 overs. Kohli had come into bat at number three after the dismissal of Rohit Sharma in the ninth over. He forged a 93-run stand with Shubman Gill, and followed it up with a 163-run partnership with fellow centurion Shreyas Iyer.