'It took me 365 days to...' - Sachin Tendulkar's million-dollar reaction as Virat Kohli equals his massive record of 49 ODI century

The 'King of Cricket' has equalled the 'God of Cricket's' massive world record. On his 35th birthday, Virat Kohli brought up his 49th ODI century to tie with great man Sachin Tendulkar for the most centuries in the 50-over format. Kohli's record-equaling ton was born in a World Cup game against South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday, November 5. 

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The 35-year-old's sensational century on a pitch that was difficult to bat on gave India a formidable total of 326 runs in the first innings. The right-handed achieved the milestone in the third ball of the 49th over of Proteas pacer Kagiso Rabada. Kohli, as usual, took off his helmet and lifted his bat while receiving a standing ovation from the crowd and his teammates.

The crowd at Eden Gardens erupted in joy as their beloved star etched his name in the annals of cricket history. Congratulatory messages for the modern-day great poured in from all quarters. However, while social media was flooded with Kohli, one wish that caught the attention was that of legendary Sachin Tendulkar.

Soon after Kohli hit the milestone, the former India batter wrote a heartfelt message on his social media platform. Tendulkar wished Kohli to complete a half-century of ODI tons in the next few days. The tweet has gone viral with fans expressing their love for the two backbones of Indian cricket during their respective playing era. 

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"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!!," the 50-year-old wrote. 

Check out the tweet below: 

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

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To be able to do that on my birthday, it's stuff of dreams: Kohli after his record-equalling innings

Kohli is the eighth player to score an ODI century on his birthday. Tendulkar (134 vs Aus Sharjah 1998) and Vinod Kambli (100* vs Eng Jaipur 1993) are the two Indian players who have achieved this feat before. The Delhi-born star became the second Indian to score over 6000 runs in India ODIs - with Tendulkar at the top with over 6900 runs. 

"Every opportunity to play for India is big one for me. To be able to do that on my birthday, in front of the whole crowd, it's stuff of dreams, something that as a child you wish had happened," ESPNcricinfo reported Kohli as saying after the first innings. 

"I am very grateful to God that I have been blessed with these kinds of moments, so much love from the fans as well and just continue to help the team in any way possible," he added.