Kohli Lets Fans Relive Sachin's 2011 Run

When Sachin Tendulkar got going in his glorious career, pundits forecast that he would break every major batting record before he was done.

- Aditya Chaturvedi

And when Virat Kohli's international journey gathered steam, big expectations from him meant he was anointed as the man to break Tendulkar's landmarks.

On Wednesday, when Kohli, 35, surpassed one of Tendulkar's grand records at the maestro's home turf by scoring his 50th ODI century against New Zealand in the World Cup semi-final, he was also fulfilling those early prophesies.

The Wankhede Stadium packed to the rafters provided a perfect setting. As thousands of fans rose as one to salute India's modern cricket talisman, Tendulkar waved to Kohli from his enclosure in the stands. Time seemed to stand still and all noise fade as Kohli bowed towards the man who has been his guiding light.

Tendulkar carried the dreams of a billion fans for over two decades, and hence his quest for that one missing accolade - a World Cup win-was the abiding sentiment as India finally ended a 28-year wait to be crowned champions in 2011. It has been 15 years since Kohli made his debut, and the biggest moment of his early career was rubbing shoulders with Tendulkar in that World Cup and carrying him on his young shoulders as a fellow champion.