Indian Test captain Virat Kohli is going through a prolonged purple patch. After playing crucial knocks against England in the first two test matches, many believe that Delhi dasher is primed to break Sachin Tendulkar’s record. Do you agree?

Critics argue that comparing two players of different eras is tricky and unfair. It essentially means bringing down one to make the other look good. We also agree that there is a long way to go before Kohli can be compared with Tendulkar. The Little Master is the only batsman with 100 international hundreds and remains the highest scorer in Tests as well as one-day internationals. In fact, Kohli himself has said that drawing parallels with Master Blaster is unfair. But after completing 50 Test matches, stats show that Kohli is a more impact player — especially in ODI’s — compared to his idol Sachin Tendulkar.   

Kohli is a master of shorter format

In shorter formats of the game (T-20s and ODI’s) Kohli is Don Bradman. Over the last couple of years, Kohli has emerged as India’s supreme run-machine. He has a jaw-dropping average of over 90, while batting in successful chases in ODIs. Just to refresh your memory, he has scored 14 centuries (out of 24) while chasing. Virat Kohli has played a total of 171 ODIs till date (excluding the ODI series against the Kiwis) and has scored 7212 runs averaging 51.51 with 25 tons. In comparison, Sachin Tendulkar scored 5828 runs after 171 matches at an average of 38.85 with 12 centuries to his name. Consider this: Virat Kohli completed the silver jubilee of centuries in his 162nd innings while Sachin consumed 234 innings to achieve the feat. It goes without saying that if run-machine Kohli continues to score at this rate, the records are bound to be broken.

Sachin has an upper hand in knockout matches

Fans of Sachin Tendulkar points out that during knockout matches — when the pressure is insurmountable and the value of a win is greater — the Master Blaster has a better record. To prove this we have to take ODI’s as a parameter. But why? Because Test cricket doesn’t have knockouts and Sachin only played one T-20 international. In the 50-over format, Sachin played 51 innings in 52 knockout matches, scored 2431 runs at an average of 52.84 with a strike rate of 85.65. He also smashed seven centuries and 14 half-centuries. In contrast, Kohli featured in a dozen innings of as many knockout ODIs. He scored just 244 runs at an average of 24.40 with just a half-century to his name.  But, we all agree that a sample size of 12 matches is not sufficient to judge the brilliance of Kohli.

Neck and neck  in Test matches

In Tests, Kohli and Sachin are going neck and neck (check graph). But sometimes stats don’t give you a true picture. During the initial phase of his career, Sachin was the mainstay of India’s batting order. He played 32 of his first 50 Test matches on foreign soil — that too against quality attacks from England and Australia. At this time to have an average of near 50 speaks volumes about the genius of Sachin Tendulkar.

Let’s not forget that when Virat was cementing his place in the India side he had the company of players such as Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman besides Sachin and Dhoni. He took his time to hone his skills as there was no added pressure on him to go the extra mile. And when he stepped into the limelight — after the retirement of Dhoni in 2014—he was more than ready for the job.

Having said that, there is no doubt that Kohli has emerged as India’s best player. Whenever the team is in crisis, he has put his hand up took the challenge head on. Consider the first Test match against England, when he scored a gritty, match-saving 49. To put it simply, Virat Kohli is all about defiance in the face of adversity. That’s why he has potential to make the impossible possible.

Who according to you is a better player: Sachin or Virat? Let’s know your views in the comments section below.