Peak Sachin Tendulkar vs Peak Virat Kohli

[ahmedwaqas92]

The comparison is based on Test Matches.

As a kid growing up in the 90s, and from an outside perspective, Sachin Tendulkar basically constituted 80% of how India performed (or so we believed it to be) and putting bias aside he is arguably one of the greatest to have ever weilded the willow. That said Tendulkar's peak years conincided in an age where tracks were proper scary & conducive to home teams and additionally every nation had a bowler like Donald, Pollock, Mcgrath, Ambrose, Wasim, Waqar, Murli, Warne et al heck even Zimbabwe had Heath Streak. Plus Tendulkar had competition for being the best bat of his generation against the like of Lara (one of the greatest), Ponting (one of the greatest), Anwar (Pakistan's best opener EVER) as well.

In contrast, Kohli basically peaked in an era where the emphasis is on Limited overs cricket, there is more oversight on the type of pitch a home team prepares in test matches, the modern cricketing equipment provides a batsman with the luxury of being a bit more daring against quick bowlers, better bats, better umpiring technology against howlers, only one or two bowlers in World cricket that are anywhere near the type of pacers we had back and to top it all off, no real competition among batsmen for the title of the best ever. Smith is banned and ADB retired plus among the fab four I don't really rate Root and Williamson as being ATG material so there's that.

Now the question is that if we are to compare eras and include all these handicaps and advantages from both the 90s and present day respectively, what do you guys reckon. If Peak Sachin was to be put in this era how much he would be scoring with all the advantages modern batsmen have and likewise if Virat would be placed in the earlier era, with lesser protective gear, more lateral movement and seam conducive tracks how much would he be averaging then?

I would be most interested to know the opinion of Indian posters (along with everyone else of course) on what are their thoughts on the matter and do they place Kohli above Sachin in terms of pure batsmanship?

Discuss.

 

[QuickCrick]

I’m really not a fan of Indian cricket but Kholi by far, he is on a complete different level and he actually wins you games with his batting.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

I’m really not a fan of Indian cricket but Kholi by far, he is on a complete different level and he actually wins you games with his batting.

Truth be told I too feel that he is a notch above Tendulkar, but I recently had a very intense discussion with some of my Indian colleagues at work and based on how they explained it to me (made very decent points) they firmly believe that Tendulkar still edges Kohli as a batsman.

That's why I created this thread since PP has a very good reader base for Indian cricket fans.

 

[battler]

It's a myth that today's pitches are flat. Pitches over the last few years across the board have been pretty sporting except maybe in Australia. Both Kohli and Tendulkar have played some great knocks but kohli is much better playing with the tail then Sachin ever was. I think Kohli is ahead by a whisker.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

Kohli is much more dominant when in form. In form Kohli can break world records (most runs in ODI bilateral, SA 2018) or outscore the next best batsman in a series by 2x runs (Eng/SA test series). Tendulkar was never that ahead of Lara, Dravid, Ponting etc. Peak Kohli is more similar to Bradman than Tendulkar.

 

[Ashraful_Rox]

Sachin was a selfish player who played for personal milestones whereas Kohli is the most successful chaser in the world.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Peak Sachin even though i dont like him much.

I remember 1997 when every right handed cricket loving Pakistani kid wanted to become the next Sachin Tendulkar.

 

[hafeezrocks]

Kohli is decent only in Bi-lateral Odis which has no value in today's era where most foreign teams play their B squads and he has never done anything special in World Cups.

Even in Tests, Kohli is not winning any matches for his team and fails during chases.

 

[King Kong]

The bowlers in this era Rabada, Steyn, Morkel, Philander, Starc, Cummins, Hazzlewood, Bumrah, Ngidi, Anderson, Broad, Boult... Are these only one or two pacers? Stop glorifying everything just because it's the past.

 

[Gullycricket]

Till Kohli wins a WC has to be Tendulkar

 

[King Kong]

Till Kohli wins a WC has to be Tendulkar

Sachin never won a wc. He failed in both finals. If you are talking about being part wc winning team, then yeah Kohli also won 2011 wc.

 

[Sam99]

Sachin never won a wc. He failed in both finals. If you are talking about being part wc winning team, then yeah Kohli also won 2011 wc.

Sachin took team to finals many time single handedly. Kohli on other hand is yet to perform better than Dhawan and Rohit in ICC Events.

 

[Suleiman]

Once Kohli wins India a WC he will be the greater ODI batsman by far and will squash any debate. I already feel he is the superior LOI batsman. Sachin never won any WC finals, just played a hand here and there at a Knockout or something, and if that's all it takes to edge Sachin in ODIs, then I question his status.

In tests there is still a gulf.

 

[hafeezrocks]

Sachin never won a wc. He failed in both finals. If you are talking about being part wc winning team, then yeah Kohli also won 2011 wc.

Kohli choked against Australia 2011 Semis, Pakistan at Mohali and Sri Lanka Mumbai 2011 .

Was the most useless and non contributing member of the World Cup winning squad, even Suresh Raina had far bigger contributions.

Failed at the first knock out match of 2015 World cup against Australia.

Choked twice in two balls against Amir during CT Finals and he is a match winner who always scores when needed? LOL.

Where was the match winner against Pakistan when the target was 340 in an all important finals ? Even got a life but choked next ball again.

 

[hafeezrocks]

Kohli scored 3 runs in Quarter Final match against Mighty Bangaldesh )

 

[jagatk]

Tendulkar all the way, Kohli is a great player but he isn't Tendulkar. All those who keep harping about his record chasing seemed to have never watched him in the 90's, yes his 100th ton cost us the game but how many times have we seen him scoring really well only for everyone else to basically get their pants pulled down the SA game in WC 2011 comes to mind, heck most of the 90's come to mind.

Kohli has yet to be the best player in a WC, Kohli has had support all the way through. He came to a team studded with ATG's, in ODI's he seems to have gotten the best Opening pair India have had since Tendulkar and Ganguly. The bowling attack he has is the best India have ever had in all formats, Tendulkar for an entire decade had none of those. He had to play to with match fixers and average joe's until the fab 4 matured and ganguly started building a world class team.

 

[King Kong]

Kohli choked against Australia 2011 Semis, Pakistan at Mohali and Sri Lanka Mumbai 2011 .

Was the most useless and non contributing member of the World Cup winning squad, even Suresh Raina had far bigger contributions.

Failed at the first knock out match of 2015 World cup against Australia.

Choked twice in two balls against Amir during CT Finals and he is a match winner who always scores when needed? LOL.

Where was the match winner against Pakistan when the target was 340 in an all important finals ? Even got a life but choked next ball again.

Sorry I don't waste my time for these cheap pointscoring. Come again!

 

[cricketindiafan]

You'll have to look at it format wise.

Peak Sachin in Tests will always be better for the quality of bowling he faced. He averaged nearly 60 in the first 15 years of his test career! We are talking about nearly 115 tests, 10K runs and 34 test 100s.

However if you look at ODIs , Sachin will be behind Virat. Only chink in Kihli's stats is his average WC record.

Beyond the stats, for the Indian fans, given the sentimental value attached, especially for people of my generation who grew up in 90s, no one can do anything to get close to Sachin. Each of his 100s have a personal memory attached, a related event, some amazing story for millions of that generation, such was the impact. Which is why he continues to be one of the strongest brands in India even 5 years after his retirement.

 

[Varun]

It's just heartening that a mere 5 years after Sachin's retirement we have a player who can run toe to toe with him.

Pity the rest of the team are crapola.

 

[Sunny_majoka]

It's just heartening that a mere 5 years after Sachin's retirement we have a player who can run toe to toe with him.

Pity the rest of the team are crapola.

you are blessed in this regard.
now with kohli you have found the new sachin , prithvi shaw

 

[Mr. Cricket]

Sachin was a selfish player who played for personal milestones whereas Kohli is the most successful chaser in the world.

True, I am an Indian and I believe the same. Sachin lost us match against BD to complete his 100th 100 and it's the most selfish inng I have ever seen .
Kohli no matter how he is always play for country and that's y he won most of the matches when he score run bcz they are not for personal milestones but for country.

 

[Mr. Cricket]

Till Kohli wins a WC has to be Tendulkar

Since when Sachin won us any WC , in 2011 Kohli 32 runs are one of the most crucial runs.
He is the best batsmen in CT 2013 final and put India a good total on board.
So please stop this nonsense. Yes he fail in 2015 and 17 but he play very important role in 2011 and 2013 final.
One thing is sure , when Kohli play in final, India won the match.

 

[Mr. Cricket]

you are blessed in this regard.
now with kohli you have found the new sachin , prithvi shaw

I should be ready for defending Kohli legacy after 10-15 year if somebody put sane thread with Kohli vs shaw or Gill.

 

[Hitman]

Don't really care who has been better. Both of them being my All Time Favorites. Sachin was my favorite back during his days, Kohli is my favorite now.

Kohli will easily end up as the 2nd greatest batsman from Asia. Will he end up as the best from Asia? I hope he does, he certainly can. The man is a pure genius with an unmatched work ethic and dedication for the game. There is no one who can match his worth ethic. A true successor of Sachin, if there ever was one.

 

[Dead Ball]

149 at Edgbaston
153 at Centurion
123 at Perth

These three innings were scored in 2018 itself against Starc, Hazelwood, Cummins, Rabada, Philander, Ngidi, Anderson, Broad under pressure and away from home on SPORTING wickets.

Anyone who says wickets nowadays are flat hasn't watched cricket this year. And Kohli came out as the best batsman of the year by far (Williamson second). In fact Tendulkar played a lot of his big innings in England on absolute flatties against mediocre bowlers in 1996, 2002...It's not like mediocre bowlers and flat tracks didn't exist then.

I personally would wait 2-3 years to see how he does on his next overseas season as well, and whether he has an ATG test knock in him (like Lara 153 or Laxman 281) If he can manage that I would rate him as GOAT.

So far I would rate both of them as equals in test.

In ODIs although Kohli has yet to have a big WC (should rectify that in 2019) he has shown that he can go above and beyond what Tendulkar could ever do in his 500 odd matches...like what he did in SA this year..

 

[DRsohail]

Sachin never won a wc. He failed in both finals. If you are talking about being part wc winning team, then yeah Kohli also won 2011 wc.

Sachin role was vital in Semifinals.

 

[DRsohail]

Since when Sachin won us any WC , in 2011 Kohli 32 runs are one of the most crucial runs.
He is the best batsmen in CT 2013 final and put India a good total on board.
So please stop this nonsense. Yes he fail in 2015 and 17 but he play very important role in 2011 and 2013 final.
One thing is sure , when Kohli play in final, India won the match.

Thats is not the way if you see Sachin made you reach 2003 finals..but at those times indian team was not that good in batting and bowling overall.

 

[Dead Ball]

Kohli has an weak average on 25 in tournament finals in ODIs, and a mediocre record in WCs.

Sachin absolutely bossed these two departments. Yes he failed in WC finals and that goes against him, but Kohli still has a way to go to reach him in this aspect. Hopefully he can rectify theses in 2019 WC.

 

[Rafa]

149 at Edgbaston
153 at Centurion
123 at Perth

These three innings were scored in 2018 itself against Starc, Hazelwood, Cummins, Rabada, Philander, Ngidi, Anderson, Broad under pressure and away from home on SPORTING wickets.

Anyone who says wickets nowadays are flat hasn't watched cricket this year. And Kohli came out as the best batsman of the year by far (Williamson second). In fact Tendulkar played a lot of his big innings in England on absolute flatties against mediocre bowlers in 1996, 2002...It's not like mediocre bowlers and flat tracks didn't exist then.

I personally would wait 2-3 years to see how he does on his next overseas season as well, and whether he has an ATG test knock in him (like Lara 153 or Laxman 281) If he can manage that I would rate him as GOAT.

So far I would rate both of them as equals in test.

In ODIs although Kohli has yet to have a big WC (should rectify that in 2019) he has shown that he can go above and beyond what Tendulkar could ever do in his 500 odd matches...like what he did in SA this year..

Hoggard, Flintoff, Harmisson were no mediocre bowlers in Tests in England .

 

[happydavy]

Sachin played 5 world cup matches against Pakistan, won all 5 with 3 MoM awards, talk about match winner! I can understand why many PPers don't like SRT much.

 

[Robert]

Tendulkar because he faced better bowlers than Kohli.

 

[Dead Ball]

Hoggard, Flintoff, Harmisson were no mediocre bowlers in Tests in England .

It was the beginning of their careers and they were rank average.

Hoggard and Harmison were averaging 40+ that year I guess and Flintoff had yet to reach the levels he reached during the mid 2000's. SRT faced Cork and a bunch of English trundlers in 1996. Feasted on some weak NZ bowling in their 1998 and 2009 tours as well.....Lanka had some of the flattest pitches in the world at that time! Most of the pitches there now are comparatively sporting...I can go on and on...

Also has Kohli got the opportunity to feast on Bangladesh yet ? Tendulkar scored 6 test hundreds against them if I remember correctly at a very high average.

Of course Tendulkar scored against great attacks as well and Kohli has feasted on some weak attacks as well, but let's not pretend SRT ONLY ever faced legendary attacks in his career.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Tendulkar easily in Tests. He was a one man wrecking crew. Kohli isnt there yet.
Kohli in ODIs easily due to his much better finishing ability.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Peak Tendulkar is better than peak Bradman overall as a batsman but that means nothing because Bradman preceded Tendulkar by many decades. Kohli although came just when Tendulkar retired Cricket has changed dramatically in his time with the T20 boom. Casually looking at things makes you feel Kohli is a definite improvement on Sachin in ODI Cricket and quickly catching up in tests as well. But in terms of where both players stood in world cricket in their time Tendulkar certainly was a much bigger icon. Tendulkar dominated world cricket as its biggest attraction and superstar in a time when Wasim Akram, Shane Warne and Brian Lara still played alongside him. Kohli although is also leagues above the rest combining all formats but one would argue his peers aren’t of the same caliber as in Tendulkar’s time.


Overall in context of their respective eras I thought Tendulkar’s peak in the late 90s was more impressive.

 

[Dead Ball]

It was the beginning of their careers and they were rank average.

Hoggard and Harmison were averaging 40+ that year I guess and Flintoff had yet to reach the levels he reached during the mid 2000's. SRT faced Cork and a bunch of English trundlers in 1996. Feasted on some weak NZ bowling in their 1998 and 2009 tours as well.....Lanka had some of the flattest pitches in the world at that time! Most of the pitches there now are comparatively sporting...I can go on and on...

Also has Kohli got the opportunity to feast on Bangladesh yet ? Tendulkar scored 6 test hundreds against them if I remember correctly at a very high average.

Of course Tendulkar scored against great attacks as well and Kohli has feasted on some weak attacks as well, but let's not pretend SRT ONLY ever faced legendary attacks in his career.

To add to this, Kohli stood tall against Steyn, Philander in 2015 and then Rabada, Ngidi, Philander in 2018 in tests. The only time ever that SRT faced such a strong opposition in SA was in 1997 Donald/Pollock.

My point is Kohli is being tested against great bowling too. Not fair to discount his efforts on the basis of pure nostalgia for the older era.

 

[goran]

Kohli is miles ahead due to his match-winning ability. He has won India many more matches as compared to Tendulkar. His ability to chase under pressure is unparalleled. Tendulkar never quite achieved that level.

 

[Hitman]

To add to this, Kohli stood tall against Steyn, Philander in 2015 and then Rabada, Ngidi, Philander in 2018 in tests. The only time ever that SRT faced such a strong opposition in SA was in 1997 Donald/Pollock.

My point is Kohli is being tested against great bowling too. Not fair to discount his efforts on the basis of pure nostalgia for the older era.

Really? What about the 2010/11 Test series in South Africa?

 

[Rafa]

Kohli is miles ahead due to his match-winning ability. He has won India many more matches as compared to Tendulkar. His ability to chase under pressure is unparalleled. Tendulkar never quite achieved that level.

What target did Kohli chase under pressure? The last match in Adelaide?

 

[Dead Ball]

Really? What about the 2010/11 Test series in South Africa?

All the series I mentioned at least had 2 bowlers averaging below 25. In 2010, SRT faced a peak Steyn but he had little support from the other end. Morkel was inconsistent and Tsotsobe was absolute rubbish.

Facing two great bowlers bowling in tandem is always a way harder challenge.

 

[Rafa]

All the series I mentioned at least had 2 bowlers averaging below 25. In 2010, SRT faced a peak Steyn but he had little support from the other end. Morkel was inconsistent and Tsotsobe was absolute rubbish.

Facing two great bowlers bowling in tandem is always a way harder challenge.

So the tons that you mentioned in Edgbaston and Perth. How many under 25 average bowlers were in the opposition?

 

[Dead Ball]

So the tons that you mentioned in Edgbaston and Perth. How many under 25 average bowlers were in the opposition?

I used the sub 25 average bowlers method to compare the attacks faced by them in SA.

To answer your question, in Perth, Kohli faced Starc, Cummins and Hazelwood who average between 24-28. In Edgbaston he faced arguably England's greatest ever bowing duo Anderson/Broad.

How did SRT fare when he faced Anderson/Broad in England? Especially considering he never faced a genuine great attack in England before that. Didn't SRT's best ever series come against a third string Aussie bowling attack in India in 1998?

In Australia, I would concede SRT faced better attacks and he was breath-taking. Although Kohli has matched his century tally there in almost half the matches facing bowlers Harris, Johnson, Starc, Hazelwood, Cummins who may not be ATG but are great bowlers nonetheless. For instance I would rat the current attack Kohli is facing worse than Warne, Lee, McGrath faced by SRT in 1999 but superior to what SRT faced in 2003/2007 in Aus.

 

[Indiafan]

Sorry I don't waste my time for these cheap pointscoring. Come again!

Except when it's against sachin? Trolls are less subtle nowadays earlier they used to have some class

 

[Indiafan]

Kohli is miles ahead due to his match-winning ability. He has won India many more matches as compared to Tendulkar. His ability to chase under pressure is unparalleled. Tendulkar never quite achieved that level.

No he has not. Sachin too used to win tons of matches at home in odis and tests which kohli is also doing

 

[Mr. Cricket]

Tendulkar easily in Tests. He was a one man wrecking crew. Kohli isnt there yet.
Kohli in ODIs easily due to his much better finishing ability.

Seriously, Sachin had sehwag, dravid , laxman what Kohli have in test. Kl Rahul

 

[rudra]

An attack of starc, cummins, hazle, lyon can only be eclipsed by WI quartet or pak 2W + imran or indian spin quartet at home. There is no weak link at all to feast upon. Its relentless.

Even sachin rarely faced an attack where 3-4 bowlers avg ~24-28.
And to score a century against them is not a joke.

Kohli has scored heavily against steyn/moekel/phil/rabada
And jimmy/broad.

They are the best bowling attacks of this era. And kohli has conquered in their den.

 

[jagatk]

Seriously, Sachin had sehwag, dravid , laxman what Kohli have in test. Kl Rahul

He got them nearly a decade after he started playing.

 

[Rafa]

Seriously, Sachin had sehwag, dravid , laxman what Kohli have in test. Kl Rahul

Kohli has Rahane and Pujara. Plus he is fortunate to have the Best Indian fast bowling unit ever and in Tests, it's the bowlers that count and make a larger difference.

 

[AMSS]

I agree with Kane Williamson in this interview.

It's Sachin Tendulkar.

 

[Dulex9]

I used the sub 25 average bowlers method to compare the attacks faced by them in SA.

To answer your question, in Perth, Kohli faced Starc, Cummins and Hazelwood who average between 24-28. In Edgbaston he faced arguably England's greatest ever bowing duo Anderson/Broad.

How did SRT fare when he faced Anderson/Broad in England? Especially considering he never faced a genuine great attack in England before that. Didn't SRT's best ever series come against a third string Aussie bowling attack in India in 1998?

In Australia, I would concede SRT faced better attacks and he was breath-taking. Although Kohli has matched his century tally there in almost half the matches facing bowlers Harris, Johnson, Starc, Hazelwood, Cummins who may not be ATG but are great bowlers nonetheless. For instance I would rat the current attack Kohli is facing worse than Warne, Lee, McGrath faced by SRT in 1999 but superior to what SRT faced in 2003/2007 in Aus.

Tendulkar was man of the series in Australia in 99/2000 against McGrath, B Lee, Warne and co.

Tendulkar also fared well against Mcgrath, Gillespie, Warne in India 2001.

 

[Dulex9]

Tendulkar easy and he averaged close to 60 at the end of 1990s.

Faced Mcgrath, Warne/Donald, Pollock/Wasim, Waqur/Murali/Ambrose, Walsh/Steyn/Johnson and co. It's simply because he's faced many great bowlers.

In odi's still Tendulkar.

 

[Hawkeye]

Till Kohli wins a WC has to be Tendulkar

Lol. SRT lost 2 World Cups for IND.

Both Kohli and SRT won IND a world cup in 2011. Where are you living? Both are world cup winning players.

But, apart from that, there's not much match. Kohli is far more dominating and loved by everyone.

 

[Vegitto1]

I hate saying this but it has to be Tendulkar. Started at 16, facing the most lethal bowlers at the time. Played on difficult wickets. Let us just do a roll call of bowlers that Tendulkar has faced:

Tendulkar: Ambrose, Walsh, Donald, Wasim, Waqar, McGrath, Murali, Warne, Vaas, Pollock, Lee, Akhtar, Bond

Kholi: .....

Weak Arguments against Tendulkar:

Didn't win matches: He may not have won many matches but then again no one player can. Cricket is a team game. Kholi scored a century in the last test and 17 in the second innings, India Lost. Kholi cannot win games on his own.

Minow-basher: Another ridiculous argument. You can only bat against whatever opposition is presented to you. Kholi has played against Bangladesh and if he has failed to score runs then that is his failure. To my knowledge, Kholi has bashed Sri-Lanka a lot in the early years.

 

[Swashbuckler]

Even in ODIs Sachin is ahead. 1992 WC as an 18 year old kid winning 2 man of the match awards including against Imran's Pakistan, 1996 and 2003 top scorer, 2011 2nd highest scorer, highest run getter in the history of WCs, sorry Kohli is way behind with his 2 forgettable WCs. Again in tournament finals Sachin shone while Kohli earned the tag of choker.

In tests let Kohli's career finish, he may have a dip which could bring down his numbers. From 1989 to 2001 Sachin averaged 59 in the toughest era of bowling, 80s was tough but didn't have ATG spinners like 90s. Even Bradman said in 1999 that Sachin reminded him of himself and believe me IPL, BCCI power etc didn't exist back then. Bradman meant what he said and even his wife noted the similarity.

Only in T20s Kohli>Sachin but even there the argument is faulty because by the time T20 developed Sachin was old/retired.

 

[Dead Ball]

I hate saying this but it has to be Tendulkar. Started at 16, facing the most lethal bowlers at the time. Played on difficult wickets. Let us just do a roll call of bowlers that Tendulkar has faced:

Tendulkar: Ambrose, Walsh, Donald, Wasim, Waqar, McGrath, Murali, Warne, Vaas, Pollock, Lee, Akhtar, Bond

Kholi: .....

Weak Arguments against Tendulkar:

Didn't win matches: He may not have won many matches but then again no one player can. Cricket is a team game. Kholi scored a century in the last test and 17 in the second innings, India Lost. Kholi cannot win games on his own.

Minow-basher: Another ridiculous argument. You can only bat against whatever opposition is presented to you. Kholi has played against Bangladesh and if he has failed to score runs then that is his failure. To my knowledge, Kholi has bashed Sri-Lanka a lot in the early years.

Biased post.

You mentioned Vaas amongst great bowlers SRT faced and none among Kohli faced, implying none of the bowlers Kohli faced are as good as Vaas, which is stupid. Your judgement is probably clouded by nostalgia.

Here's a role call for bowlers Kohli has faced and dominated who will most likely go down as greats of the game - Rabada, Ngidi, Philander, Hazelwood, Starc, Johnson, Lyon, Steyn, Anderson, Broad, Boult, Southee.

Sure, there were more ATG bowlers in Sachin's era. How did well against some, and was average against some. Kohli has been superb against every great bowler he has come up against yet. That to me, is a vital difference.

 

[austerlitz]

ODIs - Kohli just.
Test - Tendu by far.

Kohli is more vulnerable to offstump line and also nowhere near as dominant against spin as peak tendu who used to eat murali and warne for fun.Kohli cant even handle lyon or moeen.In tests tendu is bigger matchwinner.Singlehandedly won 98 home series vs aus.Played important roles in deciding test matches in overseas draw series 2010 vs SA,2003 vs aus,2002 vs eng,2004 win vs pak,2007 series win vs eng,2008 home series win vs eng,2008 home series win vs aus,2009 series win vs nz etc.

In ODIs kohli is more mentally tough,better at handling pressure,more consistent and plays the ball in the air much less.But he faces weaker bowlers,more flatter pitches and no reverse swing.Still i put kohli as better ODI batsman at his peak.Tendu often failed to finish matches even at his peak,desert storm excepted.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Peak SRT a better batsman than peak VK. He was the perfect batsman in 90s/00s (Lara being the other).

Only thing, which in my humble opinion, Kohli can do better than SRT is chase a target.

Also, I am 99% sure that if VK doesn't get injured he will break all of Sachin's records.

Both are cricket legends, but as of now Sachin is better.

 

[RainMan_]

Is this even up for a debate. Tendulkar at his peak wipes the floor with Kohli.

 

[Ab Fan]

Not many have watched Tendulkar's peak, i.e. back in 90s, when he absolutely went berserk and was a prolific run machine.

So, in tests, I will say Tendulkar.

 

[Hasan123]

Sachin in tests at the moment. By the end of Kohlis career , I'll take Kohli.

 

[light]

Peak Virat is much more scarier than Peak Sachin. I have a very good feeling by the end of his carreer, Kholi will be the king of all batsmen. I never had the luxary to watch bradman nor is there many highlights from his era so I don't like to get into that debate.

 

[Bonafide Hustler]

Kohli is more of a match winner than Tendulkar. Tendulkar on the whole was more talented than Kohli and was able to dominate all time great bowlers with more authority. Tendulkar was more of a pure stroke maker and Kohli is all about doing whatever it takes to get the job done at maximum efficiency.

Fast bowlers in this era have been decent but spinners back in the 90s were on another level. Murali, Warne Saqlain and even Kumble are better than any spinner in the world today. I would also argue the fast bowlers were better. Steyn is the only bowler who really stands out from this era.

 

[Bonafide Hustler]

I personally feel Lara is the best batsman I have ever seen in terms of pure batting skill and ability to dominate high class bowling. Too bad he wasn't the most consistent.

 

[Banter]

Man so many people thinking Kohli is somehow 'better' than Tendulkar. Kohli at his absolute peak doesn't even come close to the quality batsman that Tendulkar was. Its not close.

Problem for most folks is that they remember Tendulkar in his last 10 years of his career - where he was barely 60% of the player he was in his prime. His prime was until 2003 when he hurt his elbow - he'd had other injuries toes, fingers, bones etc, but the elbow injury took a long time to recover from, and changed him as a batsman. Tendulkar in the 1st half of his career was a batting freak - no flaws in his game. A simple example - Virat for all his quality, struggled when he first started playing tests, and got dropped. Had to go back and figure out his game. Everybody knows how poorly he played in England on his first tour - he was figured out technically and mercilessly dismissed cheaply time and again. By contrast, Tendulkar in his first tour ALL over outside Asia, scored 80+ wherever he went - England, SA, NZ, WI (who were quite strong back then, especially in bowling). He simply didn't have a slump or even a bad series, home or away. He took to test cricket and batting, like he was born to it.

There's a reason that he was considered by so many in the cricket world - Sir Donald Bradman included, to be the best in the world, well before he accumulated ANY statistical records. He was simply that good. Anybody who watched him bat in the 1990s would know this. That is, if they understand test level batting.

 

[Buffet]

There is a decent gap in the test format right now.

 

[MP2011]

Man so many people thinking Kohli is somehow 'better' than Tendulkar. Kohli at his absolute peak doesn't even come close to the quality batsman that Tendulkar was. Its not close.

Problem for most folks is that they remember Tendulkar in his last 10 years of his career - where he was barely 60% of the player he was in his prime. His prime was until 2003 when he hurt his elbow - he'd had other injuries toes, fingers, bones etc, but the elbow injury took a long time to recover from, and changed him as a batsman. Tendulkar in the 1st half of his career was a batting freak - no flaws in his game. A simple example - Virat for all his quality, struggled when he first started playing tests, and got dropped. Had to go back and figure out his game. Everybody knows how poorly he played in England on his first tour - he was figured out technically and mercilessly dismissed cheaply time and again. By contrast, Tendulkar in his first tour ALL over outside Asia, scored 80+ wherever he went - England, SA, NZ, WI (who were quite strong back then, especially in bowling). He simply didn't have a slump or even a bad series, home or away. He took to test cricket and batting, like he was born to it.

There's a reason that he was considered by so many in the cricket world - Sir Donald Bradman included, to be the best in the world, well before he accumulated ANY statistical records. He was simply that good. Anybody who watched him bat in the 1990s would know this. That is, if they understand test level batting.

Well said.

Tendulkar's TE injury changed his batting forever. That he still came back from it (besides old age & slowing reflexes) and became world's best batsman for considerable length of time bears ample testimony to his unquestioned greatness.

However, its credit to Kohli's fitness that so far he is unaffected by any major injuries except for shoulder injury he sustained during Ind-Aus test series earlier this year. Long may it continue.

 

[MP2011]

Seriously, Sachin had sehwag, dravid , laxman what Kohli have in test. Kl Rahul��

lol. Who is stopping Kohli to select better Indian XI especially when he has all the power in world? Who has asked him to back that dud Rahul in tests after tests?

Indian talent in Tendulkar's times ('90s) was lolworthy while I need not point how much talent we have in our domestic scene nowadays...If India is still has a record of 3-7 tests this year, who is to be blamed for that?

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Kohli, comfortably. The way he has imposed himself against the SA attack in SA, Eng in Eng and now Aus in Aus is stuff of legends. SA and Aus attacks, in particular, are of the highest quality.

 

[Adijazz1706]

Kohli in ODIs
in Tests

 

[Mamoon]

Tendulkar was a genius, but Kohli’s presence at the crease and his aura are out of this world. When he is on the field, the spotlight is always on him, regardless of whether he is batting or fielding. He owns the stadium.

The greatest Asian cricketer of all time in my opinion, and would probably end up as the greatest of all time.

I personally do not distinguish between specialists (batsmen and bowlers) and all-rounders when it comes to categorizing great “cricketers”, since that would result in a “good” all-rounder getting ranked higher than a “great” batsman/bowler.

No batsman in history has bossed all three formats like he has, and he is a successful captain to top it off. Not to forget, he is arguably the biggest superstar the game has seen and is already a bonafide legend.

Even if he retires today, he will be remembered in history for as long as the game lasts. The scary bit is, he still has 6-7 years left in him. Incredible.

If he captains India to a World Cup win, which I hope he does since no player deserves it more, he would have done it all, since he is already the greatest Limited Overs batsman of all time and is one of the greats in Test cricket as well.

As Test captain, he has made India one of the strongest home teams in history, and is well on his way of becoming the most successful Asian captain overseas.

P.S. I used the word “overseas” because I hate the word “SENA”. I cringe every time I see it. It is a trend that has picked up the pace over the last year or so and needs to be stopped.

 

[MP2011]

P.S. I used the word “overseas” because I hate the word “SENA”. I cringe every time I see it. It is a trend that has picked up the pace over the last year or so and needs to be stopped.

Even Harsha Bhogle was using this acronym during one of his pre game shows.

 

[Ami]

Kohli = Sachin with leadership qualities

 

[ARK Rafay]

It's stupid to say 90s era was more challenging for batsman. Sachin had to face nightmare bowlers on demon pitches. While Kohli has no competition and has got a chance to play on flat picthes. Hence Sachin is better.

So the same way Viv Richards had tougher challenges than Sachin and Kohli. But if you don't agree then what is the base of comparison? Averages? S/R?

This way Viv Richards > Kohli > Sachin.

 

[Sidilicious]

I grew up watching cricket in the 90s. Sachin used to be the man, but I never got the confidence with Sachin, that I now get with Kohli. Especially, this year. Having said that Sachin is still ahead in both aspects of the game. But, Kohli might overtake by the end of his career.

As of now,
ODIs - Sachin is just ahead due to exploits in WCs. If Kohli has a great WC and reaches 13k runs @55+, he will overtake Sachin for me. 13k runs is good enough to compare longevity with 18k runs.

Tests - Sachin is still considerably ahead. If Kohli repeats this performance in SENA countries (avg 50+) for 1 more series of tour + scores 12k @ 53+ he will overtake Sachin for me.

In tests, Kohli averages 67 in the last 34 tests (out of a total of 75). This includes 1 full series of home tests plus nearly a full series of away tests. If he can maintain a 60 average for another full set of home and away tests that is good enough for me.

But, even at this juncture, Kohli the batsman gives me more belief than Sachin the batsman.

 

[Srtfan]

Peak kohli didn't touch 55 test average even once in career,Sachin after 175 test- avg 58

 

[barah_admi]

If we compare the skill level of the two, from what I've seen, Tendulkar is still the superior batsman. HIs range of shots, his ability to grind when needed and against the quality of bowlers he did it against puts him ahead of any modern batsman.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Peak kohli didn't touch 55 test average even once in career,Sachin after 175 test- avg 58

He performed for decades.

Hilarious to think Kohli is at his level right now in tests.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Sachin Tendulkar and at this point in time its not even a comparision.

 

[MP2011]

Even Kohli won't agree that at this stage he is a better test bat than Tendulkar.

 

[MP2011]

Kohli = Sachin with leadership qualities

Just because Kohli is very very aggressive, doesn't mean he is a good leader. He is a horrible tactician, his selection policies are simply horrible. No wonder India has lost so many tests this year which they could have easily won with simply better selections.

Just because he has batted splendidly this year, doesn't mean that his horrible selections would be swept under the carpet.

 

[BaankeJi]

He performed for decades.

Hilarious to think Kohli is at his level right now in tests.

Peak Kohli so far vs Peak Sachin.