India cricketer Sanju Samson praised Virat Kohli’s decisive innings during the first ODI against West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram, where Kohli anchored the chase with a brilliant 139 not out.
The innings, dispatched in just 74 balls, propelled India to a comfortable 296 target with eight wickets in hand and 50 overs remaining. Kohli’s 55th ODI century and 86th international hundred placed him 14 centuries away from Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 100.
Samson remarked, “I feel extremely fortunate to have someone like him. Whenever he scores runs or participates in cricket for the nation, it’s a massive inspiration for players like us in the Indian team. His presence elevates everyone around him.”
The milestone century also marked Kohli’s 42nd in international cricket on Indian soil, surpassing Tendulkar’s previous record of 41. The 37-year-old joined an elite club as only the second player after Tendulkar to accumulate over 15,000 ODI runs, achieving it in his 303rd innings.
Additionally, Kohli equaled Tendulkar’s record of 60 List A centuries, completing the feat significantly faster. His fifth ODI century against the West Indies further underscored his dominance in run chases.
Samson, part of India’s squad at the Asian Games 2026, will lead the team’s semifinal campaign against Sri Lanka on Thursday.
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