On Sunday evening, a long-awaited suspense in the world of cricket came to an end, delivering a decisive answer. Virat Kohli, celebrating his 35th birthday, achieved a remarkable milestone by equaling Sachin Tendulkar’s record of the most One Day International (ODI) centuries.
This historic feat was achieved during India’s resounding 243-run victory over South Africa at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Wishes and congratulations poured in from across the globe, acknowledging Kohli’s extraordinary accomplishment in the 2023 World Cup.
Anticipation surrounded Kusal Mendis, the Sri Lankan skipper, as he was informed about Kohli’s record ahead of their match against Bangladesh at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, where their slim hopes of reaching the semifinals still persisted.
During the pre-game press conference on Sunday, a reporter asked Mendis if he would like to congratulate Kohli on his remarkable achievement. However, Mendis responded in a rather unexpected and unconventional manner, instantly making his response go viral on social media.
The exchange unfolded as follows:
Reporter: Virat Kohli has just scored his 49th ODI century. Would you like to congratulate him?
Kusal Mendis: Why would I want to congratulate him?
Reporter: Virat Kohli has just scored his 49th ODI ton. Would you like to congratulate him?
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) November 5, 2023
Kusal Mendis: Why would I want to congratulate him
(Courtesy ICC)#CWC23 #Cricket pic.twitter.com/83mYiR1JqW
After Rohit Sharma’s explosive start on a challenging Kolkata pitch, where he scored 40 runs off 24 balls, South Africa made a comeback by taking two wickets in the space of 28 balls, resulting in the dismissal of both Indian openers. Kohli then partnered with Shreyas Iyer to build a formidable 134-run partnership for the third wicket.
During this partnership, the former Indian captain achieved his 49th ODI century and his second in the current World Cup, while Iyer played a blazing innings of 77 runs from 87 balls, marking his second half-century in the tournament. This extraordinary performance led India to set a target of 327 runs for South Africa.
In response, Ravindra Jadeja wreaked havoc in the middle order, while Mohammed Siraj made an early breakthrough in the second over, ultimately securing a five-wicket haul. As a result, South Africa crumbled, managing only 83 runs in 27.1 overs.
This victory allowed India to maintain their unbeaten record in the league stage, securing eight wins out of eight matches, with one more match to play before heading to the semifinals. India’s next match is scheduled against the Netherlands on November 12 in Bengaluru.