Joining the Birthday Centurions Club, Virat Kohli equals Sachin Tendulkar’s 49 ODI centuries

On Sunday, November 5, at Eden Gardens, Virat Kohli accomplished a historic feat—a record that the 35-year-old has been seeking for some time. The famous batsman hit the much awaited 49th ODI century to tie Sachin Tendulkar.

Kohli accomplished the remarkable accomplishment that has been a big talking point during the ODI World Cup 2023, celebrating his 35th birthday with a trademark knock. The focus has been on Virat since he scored his 48th ODI century against Bangladesh earlier, even though the Rohit Sharma-led Indian squad won seven straight games.

Since then, the magical batsman has gone within a few runs of matching Sachin Tendulkar’s incredible record of 49 ODI hundreds. However, he has suffered two heartbreaking defeats: first, he was dismissed for 95 against New Zealand, and then, he was out for 88 against Sri Lanka in Wankhede, while the Little Master watched from the stands.

As luck would have it, Kohli’s much-anticipated 49th ODI century came on his 35th birthday, at Eden Gardens, the same location where he had hit his maiden century while wearing Indian colors.

Kohli completed his 49-century career in only 276 ODI innings, however the illustrious Master Blasters need 452 ODI innings to surpass him.

In addition to matching Tendulkar in a select group of batsmen who have hammered an ODI century on their birthday, Virat Kohli also pulled level with the “God of cricket.”

In a memorable 134-run innings against Australia in Sharjah on his 25th birthday, Sachin Tendulkar smashed a century, while Virat celebrated turning 35 by hitting his 49th ODI century.

Among the luminaries in the birthday centurions club are Ross Taylor, Sanath Jayasuriya, and former Indian opener Vinod Kambli.

Vinod Kambli 100* (1993) vs. Eng Jaipur (21 years old)

Aus Sharjah 1998 against. Sachin Tendulkar 134 (25)

2008 (39) Sanath Jayasuriya 130 vs. Ind Karachi

2011 (27) Ross Taylor 131* vs. Pak Pallekele

Net Hamilton 2022 vs. Tom Latham 140* (30)

Bengaluru 2023 vs. Mitchell Marsh 121 (32)

SA Kolkata 2023 against. Virat Kohli 100* (35)

In addition, the World Cup was where Taylor, Marsh, and Virat achieved their hundreds.

When asked if any cricket player would be able to surpass his records earlier in the day, Sachin Tendulkar said that he would be proud of any Indian who was able to surpass his record total. The Master Blaster even referred to Rohit and Virat as the two players who had the best chance of doing so.