ICC Men’s ODI World Cup: Birthday boy Virat Kohli turns a century older at Eden Gardens

The concept of birthdays is complicated. They tend to bring about mixed feelings for different people.

One could simply celebrate another revolution around the earth, commemorating the feeling of becoming older and wiser. Others, who have been able to go past the social constructs, silently mourn the process of ageing by treating it like any other day.

For athletes, one would believe, it’s the latter – wouldn’t you want to be young forever and continue playing the sport for as long as you wish? You may be older and wiser but, the body is getting older, the energy may start to run thin.

But as Virat Kohli turned 35 on Sunday at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, he decided to commemorate his birthday by once again showcasing why he is still the one of greatest batters in the world (and perhaps, of all time).

On his birthday, Kohli equalled the great Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 One-Day International centuries at the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup fixture against South Africa.

“It is all too much for me to take in now, to equal my hero’s record is something special for me,” said player-of-the-match Kohli in the post-match presentation. “He is perfection when it comes to batting. It’s a very emotional moment for...

Read more