'Feels like dream, too good to be true' - Virat Kohli after 'great man' Sachin Tendulkar congratulates him for 50th ODI ton

In the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023, India and New Zealand faced off in the first semifinal, at the Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai. After winning the toss, Indian captain Rohit Sharma chose to bat first. Coming to the match, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill produced a flying start in the first innings and managed a 50-plus run stand.

Tim Southee, on the other hand, broke the partnership as he dismissed Rohit for 47 runs. Thereafter, Shubman Gill scored a half-century and managed to produce another crucial partnership with Virat Kohli. The young opener had to retire hurt at 79 after suffering a groin injury.

The hosts thoroughly dominated the New Zealand bowling attack, with centuries from Kohli and Shreyas Iyer propelling the team to an imposing total of 397/4. Kohli amassed 117 off 113 deliveries, including nine boundaries and two maximums. After the first inning, Kohli revealed that the legendary 'Master Blaster' came to him personally and congratulated him on the historic moment. 

"Well, feeling (pauses). Again, the great man just congratulated me. It feels like a dream. Too good to be true. Big game for us and I played the role so that the guys around me can come and express themselves," Kohli said in the post-mid-innings interview.

As I said, for me the most important thing is to make my team win. I've been given a role this tournament and I'm trying to dig deep. That's the key to consistency - play according to the situation and play for the team. (On 50th century) It's the stuff of dreams. Sachin paaji was there in the stands," he added.

"It's very difficult for me to express it. My life partner, my hero - he's sitting there. And all these fans at the Wankhede. To get to 400 is amazing; a lot of credit needs to go to Shreyas. KL finished it with a flurry [of boundaries]," Kohli concluded.

Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer continued his rich vein of form and further solidified Team India's innings after an early vigil. After Kohli got dismissed, the Mumbai-based batter took charge and upped the ante in the last ten overs. Consequently, Iyer went on to smash his second consecutive century in the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023. The flamboyant batter scored 105 runs off just 70 balls. 

After skipper Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell's century goes in vain for New Zealand

Now speaking of New Zealand, pacer Tim Southee claimed a three-wicket haul within his full ten-over quota. However, he found himself on the wrong side of statistics, by giving away 100 runs. Meanwhile, Trent Boult picked up one wicket for 86 runs. Chasing the target, New Zealand struggled in their chase, making just 46 runs after the first power play. Daryl Mitchell and Kane Williamson added 181 runs for the second wicket, but Mohammed Shami's two crucial wickets in one over changed the game. 

Mitchell fought hard, scoring 134 off 119 balls, but it wasn't enough as India won by 70 runs. Mohammed Shami was the best bowler, taking 7/57 in 9.5 overs and helped India to take the revenge of the 2019 loss and reach the final of the marquee event in 2023.

Also Check: Most Runs in ODI World Cup 2023