(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] Former India middle-order batter Suresh Raina thinks that Kohli can break Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 ODI centuries in the upcoming India versus Australia series.
Raina also acknowledged the magnificent form that Kohli is enjoying. “Virat Kohli looks in great touch and has been batting exceptionally. Sachin (Tendulkar) paaji has 49 and Virat has 47. I think he can get his 50th hundred by the India-Australia series, batting at No. 3, there are a lot of overs as well and we know he loves to play against Australia,” said the southpaw on JioCinema’s Insiders Live.
Kohli scored an unbeaten 122 runs off 94 deliveries in the Asia Cup 2023 against Pakistan. His knock included nine fours and three sixes. Kohli hammered his 47th ODI hundred in his 267th innings, 168 fewer innings than Tendulkar to achieve 47 hundreds in ODI cricket. He is now only 2 hundreds away from Tendulkar’s tally of 49 hundreds.
Overall, it was Kohli’s 77th international century.
“So, I would say yes, he can break Tendulkar’s record. He’s been really enjoying his batting and seems to be in a really good headspace after the birth of his daughter and a partner who constantly supports him. Also, the way he’s been monitoring his cricket and fitness as always. I am sure Virat is only thinking about defeating Australia 3-0 and not about paaji’s record,” Raina added.
Raina also emphasized that Virat Kohli is carrying the legacy of Sachin Tendulkar through his batting in pressure situations. “Also, I think for any athlete it’s important to have peace of mind. One might score a hundred today and get out for a duck tomorrow, but Kohli always stays the same, very similar to paaji. Earlier, our god of cricket was Sachin paaji with his impeccable feats on the pitch and it’s amazing to see how Virat has carried that brand of cricket and that legacy forward. Whenever there is a pressure situation, Virat plays with his heart out and lets the bat do the talking.”
Kohli has set a new world record in the match against Pakistan by becoming the quickest player to accumulate 13,000 ODI runs, achieving this remarkable feat in just 267 innings. To put this achievement in perspective, Sachin Tendulkar, the second-fastest to reach this milestone, did so in 321 innings, and Ricky Ponting, who ranks third, accomplished it in 341 innings.
Kohli’s outstanding record stands out as he reached this milestone 54 innings faster than Tendulkar. Furthermore, he holds the titles for the fastest batter to reach 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 11,000, 12,000, and now 13,000 ODI runs.