Virat Kohli found himself in rarefied company during live coverage of the Australian Open, as broadcasters gave the Indian cricket icon a special mention alongside some of the biggest names in world sport.

During a match at Melbourne Park, a graphic titled “Chasing the Golden Throne: Legends Across Sports” appeared on the official broadcast, spotlighting athletes pursuing historic milestones in their respective disciplines. Kohli’s inclusion quickly caught the attention of fans, underlining his stature as a global sporting figure beyond cricket.

The graphic showed Kohli as being 15 centuries away from reaching the landmark of 100 international hundreds, a feat achieved only once before, by Sachin Tendulkar in 2012. Tendulkar’s name also featured on the list, reinforcing the magnitude of Kohli’s ongoing pursuit and the rarity of the milestone.

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Kohli was placed alongside tennis great Novak Djokovic, football icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, and seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton. The moment resonated strongly with Indian fans, as cricket seldom receives recognition during Grand Slam tennis broadcasts.

Images of the graphic quickly circulated on social media, with users applauding the Australian Open for acknowledging Kohli’s impact across the global sporting landscape.

Meanwhile, Kohli continues to enjoy a rich vein of form in ODI cricket. The 37-year-old has scored three centuries and a 93 in his last seven ODIs for India, reigniting the chase for 100 international hundreds and even raising the possibility of surpassing Tendulkar’s long-standing record. This prospect seemed distant not long ago.