Kohli's Majesty: A Mumbai Night of Dreams and Centuries 

In the heart of Mumbai, where the sun descended into the Arabian Sea, the Wankhede Stadium echoed with the honks and clatters of local trains carrying the city's dreams. But inside the famed arena, one man was living a dream he hadn't dared to imagine.

The scene unfolded in true Virat Kohli fashion - a whipped-flick for a two, the ball strategically placed between long leg and deep mid-wicket. Kohli raced past the crease, leapt into the air in celebration, only to be grounded by gravity and the sapping humidity. The helmet came off, revealing a smile that spoke volumes.

Cricketing bedlam ensued, with Sachin Tendulkar among those applauding, a legend acknowledging the making of another. In a career adorned with achievements, this felt like a particularly seminal moment for the 35-year-old maestro. A moment that transcended generations, as Kohli now owned the record for the most ODI centuries.

Kane Williamson, a cricketing great, put it in a modern context, saying, "I think if you play 50 games, some people would call that a great career, to get 50 hundreds... geez..."

This milestone could have been achieved three days earlier in Bengaluru, where cut-out standees of each of Kohli's 49 centuries adorned the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. However, fate had other plans, and he missed the mark against Netherlands. The setting in Mumbai, for the World Cup semifinal against New Zealand, added a touch of destiny to the occasion.

Kohli played with a sense of purpose, breaking records with each stroke. Ricky Ponting's record for the most ODI runs fell, Tendulkar's record for most 50+ scores in a World Cup campaign was surpassed, and another Tendulkar record for the most runs in a single World Cup campaign crumbled.

Rather than relying on big shots, Kohli exhibited heightened game awareness, choosing the right moments to take charge. His innings was a blend of calculated aggression, dealing in singles and twos, and maintaining a strike rate in the late 80s to early 90s.

Partnering with Rohit Sharma, Kohli's ability to anchor the innings allowed the team to adopt an unprecedented level of ferocity, even in knockout contests. His consistent intensity and exhaustive style of play over 15 years set him apart, surpassing Tendulkar's high-water mark.

Not just a batting genius or a technician, Kohli's success is a testament to his hunger and intensity. Shubman Gill summed it up, saying, "It's not so much about the skill that he has, but it's more about the hunger when he goes there and the intensity with which he plays the game is what inspires me."

As the Wankhede Stadium celebrated well past 10 PM, Kohli, now the crowd conductor, teased teammates and fans alike. The famous local trains carried thousands more into a night of dreaming, with Kohli having once again propelled India into a World Cup final.