Emotional Triumph: David Beckham's Standing Ovation as Virat Kohli Achieves Record 50th ODI Century! Witness the Historic Moment! Watch Now

In a momentous feat etched into the pages of cricket history, Virat Kohli achieved an unprecedented milestone by becoming the first batsman to complete 50 ODI centuries. This remarkable accomplishment unfolded during the high-stakes semi-final clash of the 2023 World Cup against New Zealand, drawing a collective standing ovation from the entire stadium. Kohli, in a poignant gesture, humbly bowed down to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, symbolizing a passing of the torch from one cricket icon to another.

(image credit : times now)

The emotional resonance of the occasion was further amplified as football legend David Beckham, present at the match, joined in the chorus of admiration for Kohli. Seated beside Jay Shah, Beckham rose to his feet, offering a heartfelt applause that swiftly became a viral sensation across social media platforms.

Kohli's journey, marked by initial challenges, reached its zenith when he assumed the role of vice-captain in 2012. Sachin Tendulkar's foresight in 2012 about Kohli and Rohit Sharma challenging his record of 100 international centuries adds another layer of emotion to this narrative.

While Kohli is still some distance from the coveted 100-century mark, his dominance in ODIs is indisputable. Surpassing Sachin's longstanding record, Kohli now holds the title of the batsman with the most ODI centuries, a testament to his unyielding dedication and skill in the sport. Sachin, with 49 ODI centuries, had been the benchmark in both ODIs and Test cricket.

 

Kohli's recent century against New Zealand propelled India beyond the 350-run mark, with the potential to reach an imposing 400. Departing after a masterful innings of 117 off 113 balls, Kohli's performance, inclusive of two sixes and nine boundaries, sets the stage for a challenging target. Supported by stellar contributions from Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer, India appears poised to set a formidable total, presenting New Zealand with a daunting task ahead.