Virat Kohli has undisputedly become the best batsman in the world at the moment and there’s no stopping him across all formats. Kohli has already amassed 59 centuries in international cricket and is going strongly match-by-match.
2018 has been another roller-coaster ride for the 30-year-old, who has already scored 1,018 runs in Tests besides hitting 4 centuries. In ODIs too, he has been in supreme form with the bat.
Kohli’s desire and hunger makes him the perfect athlete to go out and clinch many records. He has been doing the same consistently and one by one he is achieving a host of records to get bragging rights. When it comes to records, former Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar is the most successful batsman to have dictated the statistics.
The debate has always been that can Kohli go on to break Sachin’s records? Well he has already surpassed the legend in a few of them, but overall it looks unlikely that Kohli can overcome the legend. Here is a look at the same.
Most runs in ODI cricket
Sachin amassed 18426 runs in ODIs in 463 matches, while Virat has already managed 9779 from 211 matches. Kohli, who made his debut in 2008 against Sri Lanka, is likely to surpass the 10,000-run mark in the coming games.
It has taken him 10 years to reach this feat. To past Sachin, he will need many more years. Given the workload, that seems impossible at the moment.
Most runs in Test cricket
Sachin recorded whopping 15,921 runs in Test cricket. Kohli on the other hand has just managed to get past the 6000-run tally. He requires another 10,000 runs to get past Sachin.
Virat has raised his game in Tests, but the same issue may arise like the ODIs.
Most Test tons
Sachin hit 51 centuries in 200 Test matches and it looks like the record may remain that way. Kohli has piled up 24 tons up till now and he needs another 28 to get past the legend.
The question here is can he maintain the form for another 7-8 years? Will he be able to play until then?
Most international runs
Sachin scored a total of 34,357 runs in his international career. Kohli up till now has got 18,118 runs in international cricket: He still needs at least another 17,000 runs to surpass the master blaster. Time could be the factor here.
Test matches
Sachin played 200 Test matches in his 24-year career. And that is a big number. Till date, Kohli has played 71 Test matches and getting to the number of Sachin looks a tough ask.
ODI matches
Sachin notched up 463 matches, which is a world record. And to be honest it may remain so for a very long time. India captain Kohli has played 211 ODIs and it looks a stiff task of playing another 250 matches to overcome the Master Blaster.
MOM awards
Sachin won an outstanding 62 Man of the Match awards in ODI cricket. Kohli has 28 to his name and is leading the current charts, but surpassing Sachin is another mammoth task at the moment. Virat is soon approaching 30 and piling up those awards might not be possible.