Game Recognizes Game: AB de Villiers Hugs Virat Kohli, RCB Share Heartwarming Post of Bromance | WATCH

Shortly after Virat Kohli completed his much-anticipated 49th ODI century, drawing level with Sachin Tendulkar for the most hundreds in the format, the 35-year-old received a heartwarming hug from his beloved friend AB de Villiers.

As Virat made his way back to the dugout after smashing an unbeaten 101-run knock against South Africa at the Eden Gardens on Sunday, De Villiers caught up with his former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) teammate. The Proteas legend congratulated Virat and the pair shared a smile, as other South African players also shook hands and lauded Kohli.

Celebrating his 35th birthday, Virat came out to bat early in the innings after Indian captain Rohit Sharma was dismissed on 40. Following a steady start, Kohli slowly accelerated his innings and surpassed the illustrious three-figure mark for a joint-record 49th time in ODI cricket, that too at the venue where the legendary batter had scored his first century in Indian colours in 2009.

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After achieving his century, Virat took off his helmet, receiving a hug from Ravindra Jadeja and soaked in the applause from a rapturous crowd of Kolkata.

Kohli then made his way back to the dugout, receiving plenty of plaudits along the way, including those from the opposition players, and one from his ‘brother’ AB de Villiers.

BCCI shared an image of ‘mutual respect and admiration’ between ABD and Virat Kohli, and RCB also shared a picture of the pair’s bromance.

“Nothing, just two brothers with 4 WC hundreds each,” read the post from RCB.

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Kohli’s signature knock helped India to a massive total of 326/5 in their fifty overs, following a 77-run inning of Shreyas Iyer. Suryakumar Yadav also played a brisk 22-run knock in 14 balls, before Ravindra Jadeja joined hands with Kohli to put the finishing touches on India’s total courtesy of his unbeaten 29.

South Africa’s chase of 327 was off to a shaky start as Mohammed Siraj got rid of the tournament’s top scorer Quinton de Kock on just five runs, picking up a crucial wicket to set the stage.