NEW DELHI: Batting virtuoso Virat Kohli, in the biggest-ever milestone of his international career, notched up a much-awaited record-breaking 50th ODI century, going past legendary Sachin Tendulkar's record during the marquee World Cup semi-final clash against New Zealand in Mumbai on Wednesday.
Firing his third ton of the 2023 World Cup, sensational Kohli pulled off an incredible hundred off 106 balls, laced with 8 fours and a sixes.
Kohli got to his record ton in the 42nd over, setting India for a monster total against the Kiwis in the knock-out game at the iconic Wankhede Stadium.
The Kohli ton was also special in a way as he broke Sachin's record at the legend's home in Mumbai, where he grew up playing his childhood cricket.
Playing his fourth World Cup, Kohli also slammed his first-ever century in the tournament's knock-out game.
On the way to his century, Kohli broke Sachin's record of scoring most runs in a single edition of the World Cup -- 673.
During his knock, Kohli also surpassed Aussie legend Ricky Ponting (13,704) -- becoming the third highest run-scorer behind Sachin (18,426) and Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara (14,234) in the format.
Kohli currently is the highest run-scorer in the 2023 edition of the World Cup with close to 700 runs at an average of over 105.
This is now Kohli's third century after his unbeaten 101 against South Africa and 103 not out against Bangladesh.
Kohli eventually fell for 117 in the 44th over.
