Legendary England football captain David Beckham said that seeing Virat Kohli hit his 50th ODI century in the semi-final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 was a great pleasure for him.

Beckham was among the numerous celebrities present at the iconic Wankhede Stadium for the India vs New Zealand semi-final clash of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

Kohli hit a marvelous century in the match against the Black Caps in front of his hero Sachin Tendulkar. He scored 117 runs off 113 balls, with 9 fours and 2 sixes, before getting dismissed by Tim Southee. With this ton, he broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most ODI tons.

The former Manchester United midfielder was speaking to Star Sports after Virat Kohli’s ton and Beckham said that he was delighted to witness a historic innings. He elaborated:

“Well, I’d like to say I had something to do with it (the record), but I didn’t. It’s a great pleasure to be here at this stadium and see a moment of history. I spoke to Sachin earlier and I know what he’s achieved at this stadium and in this sport and to see Virat do that was special. It’s my first time in India and it couldn’t have been better.”

“It’s first game at the World Cup and what a time to be here. I’ve been to some of the best stadiums in the world. And coming in here today, from the start, you knew it was something special.”

All this feels like a dream – Virat Kohli

Speaking during the mid-innings break, Virat Kohli said that everything feels like a dream for him. He elaborated:

“I said in Kolkata, the great man (Sachin Tendulkar) just congratulated me. All this feels like a dream, too good to be true. Feels surreal for me. Again a big game today, I had to play the role I have played throughout the tournament so that the guys around me can go and express themselves. Just glad everything came together so nicely and we put up a great total on the board as well.”

Virat Kohli further spoke about the unreal consistency he has maintained throughout his career. He said:

“The most important thing is to make my team win and whatever it takes to do that I am ready to do that. Whether running singles and doubles, hitting boundaries… whatever the team wants me to do. I have been given a role this tournament and I have been trying to play that to the best of my abilities – try to dig deep and bat long so the guys around me can play around me and have that confidence in the later overs where I can dominate with the bat as well.”