“You are truly gods child” — is there a more fitting way to celebrate the remarkable achievement of a significant other? From Anushka Sharma’s proud proclamation for Virat Kohli to Sachin Tendulkar's congratulatory note on Kohli surpassing his record with 50 ODI centuries, a cascade of good wishes and applause have been showered since yesterday, as Virat Kohli created history.
Team India secured a resounding 70-run victory against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, amidst a star-studded audience featuring David Beckham, Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Ranbir Kapoor, Sidharth Malhotra, Kiara Advani, Vicky Kaushal, Shahid Kapoor, and others.
The day witnessed numerous milestones, with Dream11 setting a record for the highest runs scored by any team in an ODI knockout match. Additionally, Mohammed Shami achieved the distinction of being the fastest Indian bowler to reach 50 wickets in the World Cup with his seven-wicket haul. Here’s a glimpse of what sporting legends had to say about Kohli and Team India...
Football icon David Beckham immersed himself in the “incredible atmosphere” and offered a standing ovation as Virat Kohli notched his 50th ODI century. The two sportsmen were also captured engaging in a candid conversation in the presence of Sachin Tendulkar. See the Instagram post here.
Ace tennis player Novak Djokovic called Kohli’s performance “Legendary” as he tweeted BCCI’s tweet on Kohli aka the run-machine’s 50 ODI hundreds.
Sachin Tendulkar took to social media with an old memory with Virat Kohli, where the latter was pranked by his teammates to touch Tendulkar’s feet in the Indian dressing room. He further wrote “I couldn’t be happier that an Indian broke my record,” celebrating Kohli’s achievement.
Sourav Ganguly also posted Kohli’s photo after his 50th century in Wankhede Stadium, applauding his “stellar effort over such a long period of time.” He also called the 35-year-old international cricketer an absolute “master of the art.”
Harsha Bhogle shared on Twitter how 10 years ago Sachin Tendulkar played his last international innings at the same stadium and the baton has now passed from Tendulkar to Kohli. The veteran commentator also expressed his joy on Kohli’s journey. Find the tweet here.
Former captain of the Pakistan cricket team and commentator Wasim Akram not only congratulated the “emperor” but also wrote that we live “in the Kohli era.”
Virender Sehwag, who was also at the stands to watch the match, congratulated Kohli and also gave a shoutout to Shreyas Iyer for his century and Mohammed Shami for the seven-wicket streak.
VVS Laxman cheered for Dream 11’s win against New Zealand, and cheered for Kohli and Iyer, Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma and Shami.
“By far the greatest of this generation” opined Yuvraj Singh, congratulating Kohli for the monumental achievement.
Irfan Pathan termed Kohli “Indian cricket Ka control room”, from where not just victory but the 50 ODI hundreds are also controlled.
Even before the match, batting legend Vivian Richards said Virat Kohli was one of his favourite players. He lauded Team India’s and Kohli’s determination given the problems star cricketer and other team members faced with public opinion just before the World Cup. The former West Indies cricketer also said that if Kohli “gets to three figures” it would be “because he deserves that.”
