‘It feels like a dream’ – Virat Kohli’s ‘surreal’ achievement in his own words

Kohli’s 117 against the Black Caps was his 50th ODI century, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record in the format at the home ground of the Indian legend.

And Kohli’s efforts also saw him become the highest-scoring batter at a single Men’s Cricket World Cup with 701 runs so far, once again bettering Tendulkar, who was the previous record holder with 673 runs in 2003.

Five of Kohli's 50 ODI centuries have come at Cricket World Cups, while three have been notched at this tournament after the 35-year-old reached triple figures against South Africa, Bangladesh and now New Zealand

We take a look back at the five World Cup centuries in Kohli’s record-breaking ODI career.

2011 v Bangladesh, Mirpur (100* from 83 deliveries)

Kohli's first century at a Cricket World Cup came on unfamiliar territory as the then 22-year-old combined with opener Virender Sehwag to put Bangladesh to the sword.

Kohli came to the crease with India in control at 152/2 in the 24th over and Sehwag seeing them very well, and the pair combined for a 203-run partnership that catapulted the side to a massive total of 370/4.

While Sehwag was the main aggressor of the partnership as he amassed a brilliant 175 from 140 balls, Kohli played an equally important hand as he smashed eight fours and two massive sixes in a superb individual innings.

2015 v Pakistan, Adelaide (107 from 126 deliveries)

Four years later, Kohli was at it again as he reached three figures for the second time at a World Cup and the second time against India’s arch-rival Pakistan.

It was once again a controlled knock, as Kohli hit eight boundaries and got good support from Suresh Raina (74) and Shikhar Dhawan (73) to help propel India to a winning score of 300/7 after skipper MS Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat first.

There was no Sehwag around this time to deny Kohli the Player of the Match award as the India No.3 gleefully accepted the honour after yet another brilliant innings.

2023 v Bangladesh, Pune (103* from 97 deliveries)

Kohli had already given hints of what lay ahead at this World Cup with half-centuries against Australia and Afghanistan early in the tournament, and the ultra-consistent right-hander brought up ODI century No.48 with a sensational innings against Bangladesh in Pune.

It was Kohli's first World Cup century in a run chase and it was crafted superbly to ensure he brought up his milestone and the victory for his side with one massive strike over deep mid-wicket and into the stands.

Kohli finished his knock unbeaten with six fours and four huge sixes - the equal fifth most sixes he has hit in any ODI innings - as India remained undefeated at the World Cup and well on their way to the knockout stages.

2023 v South Africa, Kolkata (101* from 125 deliveries)

Kohli's record-equalling ODI century came on his 35th birthday as he rose to the occasion once again to show no weakness against South Africa's powerful bowling line-up.

The Proteas tried six different bowlers against Kohli and they all came up empty as the India stalwart put on another show at the famous Eden Gardens ground to draw level with Tendulkar and help his side amass a massive total of 326/5.

Kohli got great support from Shreyas Iyer (77) through the middle overs and always seemed in control as India registered yet another win to ensure they finished the group stage on top of the standings.

2023 v New Zealand, Mumbai (117 from 113 deliveries)

The Wankhede Stadium provided the perfect stage for Kohli’s record-breaking moment, as he passed Sachin Tendulkar’s tally at the home ground of the India legend.

Kohli’s sublime century featured nine fours and two sixes as he perfectly anchored a batting effort that saw the tournament hosts reach 397/4 against New Zealand in the semi-final.

The number three suffered from cramps at times during his innings and accelerated dramatically after reaching three figures, helping contribute to a fast-scoring final ten that lifted India to the biggest-ever score at the semi-final stage of a Men’s Cricket World Cup.