Twitter reactions to Virat Kohli’s 49th ODI century – goes level with Sachin Tendulkar

The great Virat Kohli has added another string to his bow, notching up his 49th ODI century on his 35th birthday to go level with Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar. With India gunning for their eighth-straight win in the 2023 ODI World Cup, Kohli took control and achieved the feat in just his 277th innings, an incredible 174 fewer than Tendulkar, who took 451 innings to reach the mark.

A capacity crowd at Eden Gardens, and hundreds of millions watching online and on television celebrated yet another Kohli hundred. After a superb early onslught by Rohit Sharma against the South Africa fast bowlers, Virat settled in and held the Indian innings together on a challenging Kolkata pitch. On a surface that offered turn and inconsistent pace, Kohli rotated strike magnificently, partnering with Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja to help take India to a formidable 326/5.

The knock was also testament to Kohli’s supreme fitness. Conditions have been sapping and unforgiving throughout this World Cup, with testing heat and humidity across the country. However, Virat never let up, finishing with just ten fours in his 101 with the rest in singles and twos.

Reactions to Virat Kohli’s 49th ODI century: Star number 3 leads the way as India thump high-flying South Africa

From there, India never let up. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj kept things tight early, with the latter getting the key wicket of Quinton de Kock. Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja took over, with the left-arm spinner finishing with superb figures of 5/33 as the Proteas had absolutely no respite against a relentless attack.

The defeat raises further questions around South Africa’s ability to chase totals. As they dominate teams when batting first, the Proteas have lost two matches when batting second (against Netherlands and India) and scraped home by one wicket against Pakistan.

“Well played Virat. It took me 365 days to go from 49 to 50 earlier this year. I hope you go from 49 to 50 and break my record in the next few days. Congratulations!!” tweeted cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar.

Well played Virat.
It took me 365 days to go from 49 to 50 earlier this year. I hope you go from 49 to 50 and break my record in the next few days.
Congratulations!!#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/PVe4iXfGFk

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 5, 2023

Rohit won’t be playing the way he is if there isn’t a certain Virat in the side. This whole batting revolves around Virat and how beautifully Gill Shreyas KL have batted around him. One game Virat failed, Rohit got into a different zone vs Eng. We are witnessing 2 ATGs in action.

— BALAJI (@deep_extracover) November 5, 2023

Hotstar viewership peaked at 4.4cr when King Kohli reached his century.

– The highest ever in digital streaming media history…!!! pic.twitter.com/7Hm7rPvmIU

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 5, 2023

What can you say about Kohli that thousands of people in search of Twitter likes won’t just have said?

— daniel norcross (@norcrosscricket) November 5, 2023

India Score Today – 326/5
SL + Eng + SA scores against India – 267/30

Dominance of the highest level 💯 #WC2023 #IndvsSA

— Karan Wadekar (@karan_rw) November 5, 2023

Eden today!!!
Witnessing Kohli’s 49th, Iyer’s fine knock, Rohit’s remarkable blitz,Greatness of India’s bowling attack, as a fan of the game one just feels overwhelmed!

Bumrah looks more unplayable live, than on TV!

The bowlers never game SAF a chance!

Eden was spectacular❤

— Gagan Chawla (@toecrushrzzz) November 5, 2023

India have pretty much shut the Proteas out of this match in the opening powerplay. This was the time to get boundaries while the ball was hard and the fielders in. India have bowled brilliantly, but again we have stood still at the crease and not tried to put pressure back on

— Werner (@Werries_) November 5, 2023

This is a level of dominance we haven’t seen in our sport for a long long time

— Dave (@CricketDave27) November 5, 2023

In retrospect, surviving Maharaj’s spell was absolutely critical. He could have easily picked up 4-5 like Jadeja. In retrospect, Rohit’s innings gave us that cushion and Kohli and Iyer guarded their wickets instead of looking to score. While chasing we could have been the same.

— Cricket Shitposting Gateway (@rootofall3vil) November 5, 2023

So if Bumrah doesn’t get you Siraj will .. If Siraj doesn’t get you Shami will .. If Shami doesn’t get you Jadeja will & If Jadeja doesn’t get you Kuldeep will .. #India #CWC2023 @clubprairiefire

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 5, 2023

Man I love Sunny G so much. He is more emotional than kohli right now. You may or may not agree with his opinions but no bigger lover of Indian cricket than Sunny G

— DC (@frontfootpull_) November 5, 2023

Hahah…this is a great match. We got a kohli ton, a bowling masterclass, and agenda peddlers got busted within hours.

— tea_addict 🇮🇳 (@on_drive23) November 5, 2023

Kohli: It’s a great honor for me to equal my hero’s record. There is no comparision. He’s perfection with the bat

Don’t let his aggression on the field fool you to think he’s arrogant. Man wears the sweetest heart on his sleeve.

— Manya (@CSKian716) November 5, 2023

India marked another day of dominance with a superb 243-run win over South Africa. Their final group game is against the Netherlands at Bengaluru. South Africa will go up against high-flying Afghanistan at Ahmedabad before the semi-finals.