Virat Kohli had famously carried Sachin Tendulkar on his shoulders at the Wankhede after the title-triumph in 2011. Twelve years later, on his 35th birthday, that young clean-shaven man was rubbing shoulders with the Little Master. Sunday’s road to the record-equalling 49th ODI century was a rough one and needed both skills and patience on a Eden Gardens wicket that frowned upon flamboyant batting.

Kohli spent well over three hours at the crease to get to the milestone, hitting just 10 boundaries and running between the wickets for the remaining 60 runs. On a hot and humid day, the innings was testimony to Kohli’s tenacity, fitness and match-reading.