Virat Kohli is an 'Inspiration, India 'Fortunate to Have Someone like Him': Sanju Samson

India cricketer Sanju Samson has hailed Virat Kohli's impact and role in the team after the latter scored a stunning century against West Indies at Samson's home ground in Thiruvananthapuram.

Virat Kohli continued his remarkable run in ODI cricket with a breathtaking 139 not out off 88 balls against the West Indies in the first ODI at Thiruvananthapuram. His century, completed in just 74 balls, helped India chase down 296 with eight wickets in hand and 50 balls to spare.

The hundred was Kohli's 55th in ODIs and 86th in international cricket, moving him 14 centuries away from Sachin Tendulkar's world record of 100 international hundreds. It was also his 10th ODI century against the West Indies.

"I think very, very fortunate to have someone like him. I think whenever he scores, runs, whenever he turns out to practice, turns out to play a game of cricket for our country or wherever he does. I think it is a great inspiration for people like us still playing the game in the Indian national team. I think everyone playing alongside him definitely benefits the way he puts on the performances," Samson said.

Samson is part of the India squad participating in the Asian Games 2026 and they will play Sri Lanka in the semifinal on Thursday.

Kohli's innings came with another major milestone as he became only the second batter after Tendulkar to cross 15,000 ODI runs. He reached the landmark in his 303rd ODI innings, making him the fastest batter to the mark, surpassing Tendulkar's previous benchmark of 377 innings.

The 37-year-old also equalled Tendulkar's record of 60 List A centuries, although Kohli reached the mark in considerably fewer innings. His latest hundred was also his 42nd international century in India, taking him past Tendulkar's previous mark of 41.

With his unbeaten 139, Kohli once again underlined his extraordinary record in run chases and added another chapter to his pursuit of Tendulkar's century record.