(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan praised Virat Kohli, who recently scored his 48th ODI century in the 17th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 against Bangladesh at Pune on Thursday.
Kohli is now just one century away from equalizing the world record of 49 ODI centuries set by the India legend Sachin Tendulkar. In the last World Cup match of India versus Bangladesh, Kohli smashed 103 runs off 97 balls, reaching his 48th ODI and 78th international hundred.
After Kohli’s 48th ODI ton, Pathan praised him, mentioning that the hundred was very special for the Delhi-born batter, looking at the way he celebrated after reaching the milestone.
“It’s extremely special in Virat Kohli’s mind, considering the way he celebrated. He has one eye on the World Cup for sure but there is one more thing as well, he is going closer to Sachin Tendulkar’s centuries,” Pathan said on Star Sports.
Pathan further stated that when Kohli equalizes or breaks the record of Tendulkar, the legendary batter will be happier than the former himself.
“I believe when the century happens, Sachin Tendulkar will be happier than Virat Kohli and his fans,” he added.
“He looked focused from the first ball itself. It seemed like he would finish the match when he walked out to bat. We were seeing posters of Virat as GOAT; he is not called the greatest of all time for nothing,” Pathan concluded.
In 2023, Kohli has scored 871 runs in 17 ODI innings with an average of 67 and has smashed four fifties an as many hundreds.