Former Indian cricketer Atul Wassan has described Virat Kohli's record-equaling 52nd One Day International century as something that was bound to happen. Wassan's comments came after Kohli matched the legendary Sachin Tendulkar's monumental ODI record during India's World Cup match against South Africa.
The Inevitable Masterpiece
According to Wassan, Kohli's achievement was never in doubt. The former pace bowler emphasized that Kohli's dedication and consistency made this historic moment inevitable. Wassan pointed out that while many players struggle with form fluctuations, Kohli has maintained an extraordinary level of performance throughout his career.
The milestone occurred during India's crucial World Cup encounter at Kolkata's iconic Eden Gardens. Kohli celebrated his 35th birthday in spectacular fashion, scoring an unbeaten 101 runs that placed him alongside Tendulkar in the record books. This century marked Kohli's second consecutive ton in the tournament, demonstrating his peak form at the most important cricketing event.
Beyond the Numbers
Wassan highlighted that Kohli's greatness extends beyond mere statistics. The batting maestro has now scored centuries against all nine opposing teams in ODI cricket, a testament to his adaptability and technical excellence across different conditions and bowling attacks.
What makes Kohli's achievement particularly remarkable is his conversion rate. Wassan noted that Kohli has consistently turned starts into big scores, showing mental fortitude that separates good players from legendary ones. The former cricketer also praised Kohli's fitness standards, which have enabled him to maintain high performance levels well into his mid-30s.
A Legacy in the Making
The timing of Kohli's record-equaling century couldn't be more significant. Achieving this milestone during a World Cup match adds extra prestige to the accomplishment. Wassan believes that Kohli's hunger for runs remains undiminished, suggesting that more records will likely tumble in the coming years.
Kohli's journey to 52 ODI centuries has been characterized by several key attributes that Wassan specifically highlighted:
- Consistent performance across different formats and conditions
- Remarkable fitness and work ethic
- Mental strength in pressure situations
- Adaptability to different bowling attacks
- Sustained excellence over more than a decade
As the cricketing world celebrates this extraordinary achievement, Wassan's perspective provides valuable insight into what makes Virat Kohli one of the modern greats of the game. With the record now equaled, all eyes are on when Kohli will claim the ODI centuries record outright.
