Ravindra Jadeja reflected on Virat Kohli's achievements on Sunday, calling his latest milestone "special" after the cricket icon celebrated his birthday with a record-equalling century as the World Cup hosts thrashed South Africa by 243 wins.
'I would say this is special for him as well as tough because the way the wicket was in the afternoon, at one time it felt like 260-270 is also fine and at that time, rotating the strike and taking boundaries I think that must have been very challenging. So, especially I would say that when the team was not getting a run, both their spinners were bowling well, and at such a time to rotate the strike, to take boundaries, and to get a score of above 300 and be not out - that is a very big achievement and a very big effort for him,' said Jaddu.
Kohli smashed an unbeaten 101 from 121 balls, to record his 49th century in ODIs, matching the mark set by compatriot Sachin Tendulkar.
The 35-year-old's innings helped the hosts post a total of 326/5 and South Africa was then skittled out for just 83 runs at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
The victory means India are assured of topping the group after winning all 8 of their matches to date. Only West Indies and Australia have managed to become unbeaten champions in an ODI World Cup till now and Jadeja was also asked if India can become the third team to do so.
'We don't think much about what will happen in a match, we plan match by match. The upcoming knockout stage will be very important. The way the teams momentum is right now, with batting, bowling, in every department, we are clicking as a team. So, we will continue and try to make it the same in the semi-final and final,' he said.