ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Can Kohli hit 21 more international hundreds to surpass Tendulkar as cricket’s top centurion?

Virat Kohli lights up the biggest stage with a record 50th ODI century (Image: ICC)

India’s dream run in the World Cup continued for the 10th consecutive game on Wednesday. And, the man painting these beautiful pictures is now sitting atop ‘Peak 50’, one above the person he followed devotionally as his hero.

Virat Kohli scored the much-awaited 50th ODI hundred after equalling Sachin Tendulkar’s 49 in Kolkata 10 days ago, by scoring a majestic 117 in front of a packed Wankhede Stadium.

The occasion could not have been better— the World Cup semifinal, which India had not won in the last two editions, having gone down to New Zealand in the previous edition.

Kohli had tallied a total of 70 runs in the knock-out stages of the previous three World Cups – 1 versus New Zealand in 2019 semifinal, 1 versus Australia in 2015 semifinal, 24 versus Australia in quarterfinal, 9 versus Pakistan in semifinal and 35 versus Sri Lanka in the final of 2011.

On Wednesday, Kohli continued his roaring form to score his fifth World Cup hundred and third of this edition, making the otherwise skilful New Zealand bowlers look hapless on a pitch that had runs written all over it. It was on the same surface that South Africa posted 399 for 7 against England and India amassed 357 for 8 against Sri Lanka in the league stage. Against NZ, India totalled 397 for 4.

The ultimate feat

Kohli did not disappoint the spectators including the man whose record he broke. Soon after flicking Kiwi pacer Lockie Ferguson to square-leg, Kohli raised his arms while completing the second run to reach this milestone, bowed in the direction of Tendulkar in the MCA President Box above the dressing room, blew a kiss towards his wife Anushka and then looked skywards to thank the Almighty.

Not only did Kohli go past Tendulkar’s 49 ODI hundreds but he also went ahead of the Little Master’s record for most runs (673 in 2003) scored in a single World Cup. Kohli now has 711 runs at 101.57 with three hundreds and five fifties.

With 80 international centuries, Kohli needs 20 more to equal the hundred hundreds of Tendulkar. Whether Kohli can get there is all in his hands. But, the manner in which he has been batting in recent times, according to the situations and with a specific role so that the Indian innings revolves around him, it is achievable.

Kohli is supremely fit and has at least a couple of years in him at the highest level. Whether he will play in the 2027 World Cup, by which time he’d be 39, is only for Kohli to answer.

It will require a mammoth effort, no doubt. If at all anyone can get there, it is Kohli alone. None else among the current active players has even come to the halfway mark.

Kohli lifted his idol on his shoulders after winning the 2011 World Cup final. Should India win on Sunday in Ahmedabad, the whole of India would want to lift Kohli on their shoulders. And that would include even Tendulkar.