Since becoming fiercely interested in fitness, Virat hit a purple patch of consistency and a big talking point surrounding his career was whether he could break some of Sachin Tendulkarrecords of all time. That discussion still continues.
Sachin owns a large number of international cricket records. Most of the great records belong to the former Indian hitting sensation. These include most tests and replayed ODIs, most tests and ODI runs, and most centuries of tests and ODIs, among others.
Like the stream Indian cricket Captain turns 32, here’s a look at his position in international cricket in Trials and ODI compared to the numbers Sachin amassed during his incredible 24-year career.
In test cricket, Sachin played 200 mind-blowing tests. That’s another world record and this one probably won’t be broken for a long time. From his test debut in 1989 against Pakistan to his retirement in the test series against the West Indies in 2013, Sachin scored 15,921 test runs, which is also a world record. The master blaster also earned a record 51 centuries of testing.
By comparison, Virat has played 86 Tests so far (114 fewer than Sachin), since his Test debut at Kingston vs West Indies in June 2011. So far he has scored 7,240 runs (8681 runs behind Sachin), averaging 53.62. Virat so far has 27 centuries of proof under his belt. That’s 24 tons behind his idol Sachin Tendulkar. Given his age (32) and his current fitness level, some feel this is a record that he could get very close to, but may not be able to match or break. After all, 24 more tons of testing will take a lot of work.
However, in ODI cricket, the numbers show that Virat is very close to Sachin’s centuries-old record.
Sachin Tendulkar (TOI Photo) and Virat Kohli (Getty Images)
Sachin, in 463 ODI, played between 1989 and 2012, scored 18,426 gigantic runs (world record), with a highest score of 200 *. He scored up to 49 tonnes of ODI in his career, which is also the most ever scored at One Day Internationals.
A look at Virat’s numbers so far shows that in 248 games (215 games fewer than Sachin), since his ODI debut in 2008, he has scored 11,867 runs (6,559 runs behind Sachin). So far, he has already scored up to 43 ODI centuries, which means he is only six behind Sachin’s all-time tally. In fact, there is no other hitter between Sachin and Virat on the all-time list as far as most ODI centuries go. Next behind Virat on the all-time list is Ricky Ponting at 30 tons. Ponting scored his 30 tonnes ODI in 375 games, Virat has scored 43 in 248 games. Such has been the impact of Virat’s consistency over the years. Virat has scored his ODI runs with an incredible 59.33 average.
(Kohli carrying Tendulkar on his shoulders during the lap of honor after India won the WC 2011 – Agency photo)
Sachin started playing international cricket when he was just 16 years old (1989). Virat made his international debut in 2008 when he was 19 years old, less than three months before his 20th birthday.
By the numbers, the only record Virat is very close to breaking in the near future is perhaps Sachin’s record of most ODI centuries. You will have the opportunity to increase your ODI ton count when India meets Australia in the 3-match series starting in Australia from November 27.
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