Virat Kohli Surpasses Sachin Tendulkar's Record

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India’s Virat Kohli broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most runs in an ODI World Cup as well as breaking the record of most ODI centuries by hitting his 50th ton in the format during his side’s semifinal against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday.

Virat went past Sachin’s mark of 673 runs, achieved in the 2023 edition, with a single against Glenn Phillips.

Earlier in the match, the 35-year-old Kohli became only the third Indian batter to score 600+ runs in a single World Cup.

Most runs in an ODI World Cup:

1) Virat Kohli (IND) - 711* (2023)

2) Sachin Tendulkar (IND) - 673 (2003)

3) Matthew Hayden (AUS) - 659 (2007)

4) Rohit Sharma (IND) - 648 (2019)

5) David Warner (AUS) - 647 (2019)

This was also Kohli’s eighth fifty+ knock of the ongoing World Cup, the most anyone has ever managed in a single edition of the tournament. He went past the record of seven fifty+ knocks, previously held jointly by Sachin (2003) and Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan (2019).

On the other hand, during the highly thrilling contest, Kohli hit his 50th ODI hundred.

He reached this landmark in the 42nd over off the bowling of Lockie Ferguson, hitting eight fours and one six on the way to three figures.

This was his first-ever ton in the knockout stage of the Cricket World Cup, and also saw him surpass Tendulkar's landmark for the most runs in a single edition of the Cricket World Cup.

This was Kohli's third ton of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, having scored centuries against Bangladesh and South Africa in earlier stages of the tournament.

His ton against Bangladesh came in a successful chase in Pune. His second century helped set up the foundation of a match-winning total against the Proteas at Eden Gardens.

This achievement, only further strengthened Virat Kohli's case of being one of the greatest players of modern times.

After his remarkable feat, Kohli appeared to bow to Sachin Tendulkar, who was present in the stands at Mumbai's Wankhede.

Soon after, Sachin Tendulkar responded with a lengthy and heartfelt message on 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," he wrote. "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."