NEW DELHI: Few cricketers have faced the level of intense scrutiny that Virat Kohli has endured. Even with his commanding personality, it remains challenging for him to fully withdraw from the spotlight.
The collective anticipation of an entire nation as Virat approached his 49th ODI century was nothing short of intimidating.
Nevertheless, pressure appears to be a catalyst that propels him to greater heights. Virat provided insight into his mindset and his method of distancing himself from the surrounding frenzy.
“I always wanted to keep my emotions and feelings in control. It is a very important part of my game. So, I keep that awareness ahead of the match,” said Kohli on Star Sports.
Kohli, on his 35th birthday, made a superbly paced 101 not out in a total of 326-5 after India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss on a tricky pitch at Kolkata's Eden Gardens.
Virat said he felt "honoured" to equal "hero" Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 one-day international hundreds during India's 243-run World Cup rout of fellow semi-finalists South Africa on Sunday.
India, who have now won all eight of their pool play matches so far and are guaranteed to finish top of the 10-team table, then dismissed South Africa for just 83 in 27.1 overs, with left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja taking 5-33.
It had taken Kohli 277 innings to score 49 hundreds at this level compared to the 438 required by Tendulkar.
"Well played Virat. It took me 365 days to go from 49 to 50 (years old) earlier this year. I hope you go from 49 to 50 and break my record in the next few days. Congratulations," said Tendulkar on X (formerly Twitter).
1/10:Virat Kohli's four centuries at ODI World Cup
AP
2/10:History created
<p>Virat Kohli on Sunday created history with a record-equalling 49th ODI century against South Africa at the World Cup in Kolkata.<br /></p>ANI
3/10:Record-equalling ton
<p>With the ton, Kohli equalled legendary Sachin Tendulkar's record of scoring most centuries in the 50-over format.<br /></p>
4/10:Fourth World Cup ton
<p>The century was also Kohli's fourth at the 50-over World Cup and the second in the ongoing edition of the tournament.<br /></p>Getty Images
5/10:First ton at the World Cup
<p>Kohli's first ever century at the World Cup came against Bangladesh in Dhaka in the 2011 edition.<br /></p>AFP
6/10:Kohli blitz
<p>Kohli slammed an 83-ball 100 not out at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium where India beat Bangladesh by 87 runs.<br /></p>
7/10:The second ton
<p>Kohli's second World Cup ton came in the 2015 edition when he slammed 107 against Pakistan in Adelaide.<br /></p>Getty Images
8/10:A century against arch-rivals
<p>Kohli's century guided India to 300 for 7 after which Pakistan folded for 224 in the chase to suffer a 76-run loss.<br /></p>
9/10:Third century for Kohli at home
<p>Kohli notched up his third World Cup hundred in the clash against Bangladesh in Pune in the 2023 edition.<br /></p>Reuters
10/10:Chase master at his best
<p>Chasing 257 for victory, Kohli scored an unbeaten 103 off 97 balls to guide India to a 7-wicket win.<br /></p>AFP"Tendulkar's tweet is quite special," said Kohli after scoring 49th ODI century.
"It's all too much to take in for now. It's a huge honour to equal my hero's record. He's perfection with the bat. It's an emotional moment. I know the days I come from, I know the days I have watched him on TV," the India run machine said.
