Player of the decade (2010-2019)

[Captain caveman]

Yep, you hit the nail on the head there

Cheers bro!
I actually initially went for kohli and smith, but someone posted numbers on this thread and it was obvious that cook and jimmy have outdone everyone this decade.

 

[Manunited18]

You mean your eye? Because the umpire’s eyes never doubted his action, period.

Umpires eyes are cleverly and obviously listening to the brain and the dollars he could neglect with being honest

 

[Manunited18]

Cheers bro!
I actually initially went for kohli and smith, but someone posted numbers on this thread and it was obvious that cook and jimmy have outdone everyone this decade.

Agree, plus if you look at it cook batted well in every country, what a player and a absolute top bloke, Smith's cheating tarnished him, kohli is quality but i agree cook takes it

 

[Mean&Green]

Alistair Cook.
The player of the decade along with James Anderson.
Oh by the way, england beat india in india this decade but india has not beaten england in england this decade!

Thank you captain
[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] there is your answer by the way I love your love for India but you are as delusional and biased as one can get. India doesn’t become gold standard in no way. South Africa have been Asian countries graveyard since forever no Asian team has won a test series there until Sri Lanka beat them. So winning in South Africa is a major factor to becoming the best captain of the decade.

 

[Hasan123]

Virat Kohli is comfortably the player of the decade.

 

[Captain caveman]

Virat Kohli is comfortably the player of the decade.

Cookie monster has scored significantly more test runs than kohli this decade!
Though kohli undoubtly is one of the all time greats.

 

[Hasan123]

Cookie monster has scored significantly more test runs than kohli this decade!
Though kohli undoubtly is one of the all time greats.

I respect Alistar Cook, but he did struggle against top quality attacks. Don’t think he was as affective after about 2015 Ashes.

Kohli has dominated 3 formats.

No contest really.

 

[Manunited18]

I respect Alistar Cook, but he did struggle against top quality attacks. Don’t think he was as affective after about 2015 Ashes.

Kohli has dominated 3 formats.

No contest really.

Kohli is class, but Anderson 5 years ago had him on toast in England

 

[Captain caveman]

Kohli is class, but Anderson 5 years ago had him on toast in England

Kohli admits to having severe doubts about his ability during that period.

 

[Manunited18]

Kohli admits to having severe doubts about his ability during that period.

True, therefore cook takes it as the player of the decade

 

[Hitman]

Umpires eyes are cleverly and obviously listening to the brain and the dollars he could neglect with being honest

Except that you can't substantiate your claim

What you believe holds zero significance to the cricketing world. What matters is Ashwin has never been called for a suspect action. You can keep sulking.

 

[Hasan123]

Kohli is class, but Anderson 5 years ago had him on toast in England

Every batter has a poor series. Kohli corrected it last year by dominating in England and South Africa.

 

[Manunited18]

Except that you can't substantiate your claim

What you believe holds zero significance to the cricketing world. What matters is Ashwin has never been called for a suspect action. You can keep sulking.

Lol sulking, if I question if his action is legitimate thenbthats my opinion, not sulking, I could say your sulking because I'm questioning him

 

[Manunited18]

Every batter has a poor series. Kohli corrected it last year by dominating in England and South Africa.

Never questioned kohlis quality, he is class, if you've read my previous posts

 

[Mamoon]

Alistair Cook.
The player of the decade along with James Anderson.
Oh by the way, england beat india in india this decade but india has not beaten england in england this decade!

Thank you captain

[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] there is your answer by the way I love your love for India but you are as delusional and biased as one can get. India doesn’t become gold standard in no way. South Africa have been Asian countries graveyard since forever no Asian team has won a test series there until Sri Lanka beat them. So winning in South Africa is a major factor to becoming the best captain of the decade.

This is absolute and utter nonsense.

You may as well have a shred of credibility if you admit that you are happy to latch on to any player to avoid admitting that Kohli is by far the best player of this decade.

Cook is the best Test opener of this decade but as an overall player, he hasn’t been anywhere close to Kohli.

Cook started the decade in emphatic fashion by scoring a mountain of runs in Australia and India, but his form tapered off post 2013. In the last 5 years of his career, he has been very inconsistent and that is reflected in his Test ranking. However, because he was still a quality player, he was able to maintain his impressive average by scoring a big double-hundred every now and then.


As a Test captain, he won in India and South Africa, but he started to lose a lot of matches both home and away which eventually cost him his captaincy. As an ODI player, he started on a good note after taking over captain from Strauss but went through a prolonged rut and was clearly not capable of playing aggressively, which is why he was dropped right before the 2015 World Cup.

Kohli has been a far greater cricketer even if we consider Test cricket only, buy when you factor in all formats which you should when you talk about the best cricketer of the decade, Kohli is lightyears ahead of Cook.

Furthermore, we are not talking history here. We are specifically talking about this decade. Winning in India is the ultimate challenge in this decade because no team has been anywhere close to India when it comes to home dominance. It is very clearly the gold standard, and Kohli’s leadership has played a huge role in making India invincible at home.

I am not biased towards India. They are not even my second team. However, just because I have the misfortune of being a Pakistani and thus have the misfortune of supporting the pathetic Pakistan team, it does not mean that I cannot accept how brilliant Kohli has been and how brilliant India have been in this decade.

Living in denial will not help. You can call Cook, Anderson and every tom, dick and harry as the greatest cricketer of this decade but the reality is in front of all us. You can either accept it or deny it, but it will not change anything.

 

[Manunited18]

This is absolute and utter nonsense.

You may as well have a shred of credibility if you admit that you are happy to latch on to any player to avoid admitting that Kohli is by far the best player of this decade.

Cook is the best Test opener of this decade but as an overall player, he hasn’t been anywhere close to Kohli.

Cook started the decade in emphatic fashion by scoring a mountain of runs in Australia and India, but his form tapered off post 2013. In the last 5 years of his career, he has been very inconsistent and that is reflected in his Test ranking. However, because he was still a quality player, he was able to maintain his impressive average by scoring a big double-hundred every now and then.


As a Test captain, he won in India and South Africa, but he started to lose a lot of matches both home and away which eventually cost him his captaincy. As an ODI player, he started on a good note after taking over captain from Strauss but went through a prolonged rut and was clearly not capable of playing aggressively, which is why he was dropped right before the 2015 World Cup.

Kohli has been a far greater cricketer even if we consider Test cricket only, buy when you factor in all formats which you should when you talk about the best cricketer of the decade, Kohli is lightyears ahead of Cook.

Furthermore, we are not talking history here. We are specifically talking about this decade. Winning in India is the ultimate challenge in this decade because no team has been anywhere close to India when it comes to home dominance. It is very clearly the gold standard, and Kohli’s leadership has played a huge role in making India invincible at home.

I am not biased towards India. They are not even my second team. However, just because I have the misfortune of being a Pakistani and thus have the misfortune of supporting the pathetic Pakistan team, it does not mean that I cannot accept how brilliant Kohli has been and how brilliant India have been in this decade.

Living in denial will not help. You can call Cook, Anderson and every tom, dick and harry as the greatest cricketer of this decade but the reality is in front of all us. You can either accept it or deny it, but it will not change anything.

Everyone's entitled to their opinions, so stop throwing a tantrum

 

[MenInG]

Everyone's entitled to their opinions, so stop throwing a tantrum

Remember a good contrarian view will always get you a response.

 

[Bhaijaan]

To people who are coming up with absurd points to put Kohli down, can you guys seriously look at yourselves in the mirror and not feel ashamed?

If this was a open poll among cricketers and experts, Virat Kohli would win by an absolute landslide because those people have a reputation to take care of unlike the unknown trolls most of us are.

Kohli has been by far and probably the only real SUPERSTAR of the last decade.

It is actually only a formality to have a poll here so what is known already could be written down in history.

 

[Nadeem98]

This website is now a well renowned cricket portal known for its contacts with international stars , talent spotting, twitterati and sterling reputation among your cricket experts who sing praises of pakpassion on the air. Just because people don't entertain your tantrums doesn't mean they are trolls. Test cricket is real cricket. Unless Babar keeps on averaging 70 in tests like he did last year, none of his pyjama cricket exploits mean anything. Ditto Kohli or anyone else. This us is why Smith is the new Don and , therefore, best of the decade.

 

[Manunited18]

To people who are coming up with absurd points to put Kohli down, can you guys seriously look at yourselves in the mirror and not feel ashamed?

If this was a open poll among cricketers and experts, Virat Kohli would win by an absolute landslide because those people have a reputation to take care of unlike the unknown trolls most of us are.

Kohli has been by far and probably the only real SUPERSTAR of the last decade.

It is actually only a formality to have a poll here so what is known already could be written down in history.

Kohli been quality, but let's look at it as a fast bowling perspective and the longivity of jimmy Anderson, the guy has a serious case

 

[therealAB]

To people who are coming up with absurd points to put Kohli down, can you guys seriously look at yourselves in the mirror and not feel ashamed?

If this was a open poll among cricketers and experts, Virat Kohli would win by an absolute landslide because those people have a reputation to take care of unlike the unknown trolls most of us are.

Kohli has been by far and probably the only real SUPERSTAR of the last decade.

It is actually only a formality to have a poll here so what is known already could be written down in history.

Selecting the best player is entirely dependent on weightings of different formats, which differ based by person. For example I, and most Australians, rate tests extremely highly, followed by WC performance (maybe why we have historically been the best at both by a country mile)

 

[Mamoon]

Remember a good contrarian view will always get you a response.

There is nothing contrarian about calling Kohli the best player and Test captain of the decade. It is a indisputable fact.

People suggesting alternate names are the ones with contrarian views.

 

[Mamoon]

Everyone's entitled to their opinions, so stop throwing a tantrum

There is difference between having an opinion and chatting nonsense. Calling Smith the player of the decade is an opinion, but suggesting names like Cook or Anderson is complete nonsense.

 

[AMSS]

Kohli. And if I were to stand alongside Kohli to see who's next, there'd only be blinding daylight.

 

[Manunited18]

There is difference between having an opinion and chatting nonsense. Calling Smith the player of the decade is an opinion, but suggesting names like Cook or Anderson is complete nonsense.

Cook the best opener of the last decade by a country mile, also led by example when England beat india in India in tests 2012, and been consistent till he retired.

Anderson, 150 tests for a fast bowler and still going strong is unblievable, credit to his fitness and determination for his longevity

 

[Manunited18]

Kohli. And if I were to stand alongside Kohli to see who's next, there'd only be blinding daylight.

Show some respect to some gun cricketers in the last decade please

 

[Ozymandiasza]

Kohli. And if I were to stand alongside Kohli to see who's next, there'd only be blinding daylight.

I can name a few:
AB, Smith, Dale, Sanga...

 

[Mamoon]

Cook the best opener of the last decade by a country mile, also led by example when England beat india in India in tests 2012, and been consistent till he retired.

Anderson, 150 tests for a fast bowler and still going strong is unblievable, credit to his fitness and determination for his longevity

There is a clear difference between being the best Test cricketer and being the best cricketer.

Yes Test cricket is the premier format, but even if you give 1% weightage to ODIs, then the likes of Cook and Anderson do not make the discussion.

If you give 0% weightage to ODIs, then please write a letter to ICC and ask them to cancel the ODI format.

As long as the ODI format is played, people will take it into consideration when judging a cricketer.

Furthermore, no player deliberately underperforms in ODIs. Every competitive, ambitious player wants to be the best in both formats. However, only a select few have the talent and the skill to be elite in both Tests and ODIs.

Cook and Anderson do not have that talent and skill. Do you think they wouldn’t have wanted to be a part of the England team that won the World Cup?

 

[Manunited18]

There is a clear difference between being the best Test cricketer and being the best cricketer.

Yes Test cricket is the premier format, but even if you give 1% weightage to ODIs, then the likes of Cook and Anderson do not make the discussion.

If you give 0% weightage to ODIs, then please write a letter to ICC and ask them to cancel the ODI format.

As long as the ODI format is played, people will take it into consideration when judging a cricketer.

Furthermore, no player deliberately underperforms in ODIs. Every competitive, ambitious player wants to be the best in both formats. However, only a select few have the talent and the skill to be elite in both Tests and ODIs.

Cook and Anderson do not have that talent and skill. Do you think they wouldn’t have wanted to be a part of the England team that won the World Cup?

Both cooks and Andersons achievements are justifications for either of them to bathe player of the decade

 

[Mamoon]

Both cooks and Andersons achievements are justifications for either of them to bathe player of the decade

Yes, but “Test” player of the decade. Not the player of the decade.

Kohli is a strong contender for the Test player of the decade as well, but he is simply in a league of his own across formats. That is why he is easily the best cricketer of this decade.

 

[Sam99]

Just going by stats it will be kohli but what smith has done in this decade is quite unbelievable. Avg of almost 65! and playing 3 back to back match winning knock in 2015 wc then again doing same in 2019 wc semis but didn't get support from other end. It's like quantity vs quality and if i have to select quality performance then smith is miles away.

 

[Manunited18]

Yes, but “Test” player of the decade. Not the player of the decade.

Kohli is a strong contender for the Test player of the decade as well, but he is simply in a league of his own across formats. That is why he is easily the best cricketer of this decade.

Prime example Anderson who why I think justifies it, had he been available in the limited overs squad and played in the last 4 year cycle leading to the world cup then that would effect his longevity in tests, he had to balance that by prolonging his test career as a fast bowler, which has more demands than a batsman, conclusion, Anderson 150 tests as a fast bowler and still going, surely he deserves it

 

[Mamoon]

Prime example Anderson who why I think justifies it, had he been available in the limited overs squad and played in the last 4 year cycle leading to the world cup then that would effect his longevity in tests, he had to balance that by prolonging his test career as a fast bowler, which has more demands than a batsman, conclusion, Anderson 150 tests as a fast bowler and still going, surely he deserves it

That isn’t anyone else’s problem though. When you play only one format you limit yourself to accolades that belong to that particular format.

Besides, Anderson didn’t retire from ODIs to preserve himself for Tests. England dropped him after the 2015 World Cup because his bowling was not suitable for flat ODI wickets and he contributed nothing with the bat.

 

[Manunited18]

That isn’t anyone else’s problem though. When you play only one format you limit yourself to accolades that belong to that particular format.

Besides, Anderson didn’t retire from ODIs to preserve himself for Tests. England dropped him after the 2015 World Cup because his bowling was not suitable for flat ODI wickets and he contributed nothing with the bat.

He did retire to prolong his test career, obviously his age was the Factor not his ability, he could have easily replaced mark wood in the squad has he been younger

 

[King_Kohli]

Brad Hogg's Player of the Decade- Virat Kohli

His TOP 3 of the Decade are
• Virat Kohli
• Kumar Sangakara
• ABD

 

[Mamoon]

He did retire to prolong his test career, obviously his age was the Factor not his ability, he could have easily replaced mark wood in the squad has he been younger

Not really. Mark Wood’s explosive pace makes him a more viable option for ODIs. Anderson is cannon-fodder on flat ODI pitches. He simply doesn’t have the pace to be a threat apart from the first few overs.

 

[Slog]

Kohli then Steyn

 

[Manunited18]

Not really. Mark Wood’s explosive pace makes him a more viable option for ODIs. Anderson is cannon-fodder on flat ODI pitches. He simply doesn’t have the pace to be a threat apart from the first few overs.

They had archer to fulfil the role of enforcer, like i said Anderson was getting on abit that's why he quit, Andersons skill set for example in the world cup final on a sticky wicket would have made him unplayable

 

[Mean&Green]

There is nothing contrarian about calling Kohli the best player and Test captain of the decade. It is a indisputable fact.

People suggesting alternate names are the ones with contrarian views.

Bruv you really are delusional you don’t set the standards of how the best test captain will work. By writing long paragraphs over and over again it won’t change the facts or stats. Apparently you decide that beating India in India in this decade is the Pinnacle of dominance and that defines Dominance. Even if that is the case than India were beaten in this decade in 2012-13 test series. Smell the coffee wake up mate you are the one with contrarian views and no one is denying that kohli is not the best player of this decade he is but he is nowhere close to being the best test captain of this decade by far. So it’s better that instead of writing worthless long paragraphs which you contradict yourself in over and over again you admit the fact that the love of your life kohli is not the best test captain of this decade unfortunately.

 

[ARK Rafay]

There are other players who have performed better in certain years and series. But since this thread is about decade (2010-19) then it has be Virat Kohli. He has continuously performed in all formats for over 10 years consistently now with bat and no other player has been able to emulate that.

 

[theariezman]

A cousin of mine predicted in 2008 if someone can break SR Tendulkar records its Virat Kolhi.

He is half way done.

 

[Slog]

A cousin of mine predicted in 2008 if someone can break SR Tendulkar records its Virat Kolhi.

He is half way done.

Most of sachins records are based on longevity so I don’t think Kohli will be breaking them

 

[Bhaijaan]

Tendulkar stopped caring about ODIs post 2007. Breaking his ODI record will be cool nonetheless although not ground breaking.

Tendulkar did not compromise on test cricket, playing 200 tests or going past 16,000 test runs at am average equal or above Tendulkar's would be one heck of an achievement for any modern cricketer.

Averaging 54+ after 200 tests expert over a 24 year long career, having literally faced 4 generations of fast bowlers. Tendulkar has the most impressive CV of any test batsman except Bradman maybe.

 

[JaDed]

Most of sachins records are based on longevity so I don’t think Kohli will be breaking them

Except for 2012-2013 which era do you think his records weren’t genuine?

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Virat Kohli - simply mind boggling consistency across all the 3 formats.

 

[Slog]

Except for 2012-2013 which era do you think his records weren’t genuine?

Huh? Not sure you got me.

What I mean is that a lot of tendulkars records are a function of having played more cricket matches than anyone. Since he has played more matches than anyone courtesy of that he has many records like Most Runs or Most Centuries. These are records after all but I would put less weightage on them than records like for example Fastest to 10,000 runs. Tendulkar does not have these as much.

Obviously longevity is not easy and deserves to be commended in itself but my point is that Kohli might not be able to break such records of tendulkar primarily because he will not play 200 Tests or 400-500 ODIs

 

[jnaveen1980]

This one is the easiest choice. 69 centuries in 10 years across the formats. Next best 47 centuries Amla !

 

[JaDed]

Huh? Not sure you got me.

What I mean is that a lot of tendulkars records are a function of having played more cricket matches than anyone. Since he has played more matches than anyone courtesy of that he has many records like Most Runs or Most Centuries. These are records after all but I would put less weightage on them than records like for example Fastest to 10,000 runs. Tendulkar does not have these as much.

Obviously longevity is not easy and deserves to be commended in itself but my point is that Kohli might not be able to break such records of tendulkar primarily because he will not play 200 Tests or 400-500 ODIs

Well lets consider single tournaments in that -2003 WC Sachin had highest runs 674 and most fours and most 50s(this along with Shakib in 2019).

So individually as in single WC his records are better in the most imp tournament in ODI. The only record he doesn't have in these are numbers of 6s and 100s in a single tournament, so yeah Kohli hasn't been able to break it in the most major tournament yet and seeing his age well don’t think he would..

 

[Slog]

Well lets consider single tournaments in that -2003 WC Sachin had highest runs 674 and most fours and most 50s(this along with Shakib in 2019).

So individually as in single WC his records are better in the most imp tournament in ODI. The only record he doesn't have in these are numbers of 6s and 100s in a single tournament, so yeah Kohli hasn't been able to break it in the most major tournament yet and seeing his age well don’t think he would..

Well I said majority of his records are longevity based

Besides tbh I had test records in mind when I made that initial post and I stand by it

I personally don’t attach a lot of value longevity reliant records. For eg. A record tendulkar has that he has the most losses in international cricket but that doesn’t mean anything to me either.

 

[JaDed]

Well I said majority of his records are longevity based

Besides tbh I had test records in mind when I made that initial post and I stand by it

I personally don’t attach a lot of value longevity reliant records. For eg. A record tendulkar has that he has the most losses in international cricket but that doesn’t mean anything to me either.

Fair enough but Sachin along with Lara,Sanga is fastest 10k in tests.. that's why I thought you were talking about ODI coz he is not the fastest 10k runs in ODI..

 

[JaDed]

Fair enough but Sachin along with Lara,Sanga is fastest 10k in tests.. that's why I thought you were talking about ODI coz he is not the fastest 10k runs in ODI..

Sorry incorrect [MENTION=138463]Slog[/MENTION] my bad.. it was same inning of 195th.. but not the test..

 

[andy0204]

Kumar Sangakkara for me,He dominated 2015 World Cup,Match winning centuries in South Africa, England tests,Won a T20 world cup.

 

[Mobashir]

Maybe in your fantasy world.

In the real world, Kohli has been comfortably better in both Tests and ODIs.

ODI's:
Kohli average 60.79 at a SR of 94.11.
AB de Villiers average of 64.20 SR 109.76.

This SR of ABDV puts him way over any ODI batsman of the same period.

In worlds cup : Kohli averages 46.81 at a SR of 86.70.
AB de Villiers averages 92.77 at a SR of 126.51.

In Finals: Kohli averages 21.71 at a SR of 77.55 with no fifty in 7 innings.
AB de Villiers: Just one final, not out 57 from 40 balls against Starc, Johnson in a low scoring game.


Kohli comfortably ahead of AB de Villiers?

 

[Mobashir]

Maybe in your fantasy world.

In the real world, Kohli has been comfortably better in both Tests and ODIs.

Tests :
Kohli averages 54.97
AB de Villiers averages 57.48.

In tests what is even more crucial in the number of great/good innings. Ab de Villiers has many very good crucial, iconic knocks. From the blockathon to his last 2 comic series against Australia and India were he won both series for his team.

 

[Mamoon]

ODI's:
Kohli average 60.79 at a SR of 94.11.
AB de Villiers average of 64.20 SR 109.76.

This SR of ABDV puts him way over any ODI batsman of the same period.

In worlds cup : Kohli averages 46.81 at a SR of 86.70.
AB de Villiers averages 92.77 at a SR of 126.51.

In Finals: Kohli averages 21.71 at a SR of 77.55 with no fifty in 7 innings.
AB de Villiers: Just one final, not out 57 from 40 balls against Starc, Johnson in a low scoring game.


Kohli comfortably ahead of AB de Villiers?

Tests :
Kohli averages 54.97
AB de Villiers averages 57.48.

In tests what is even more crucial in the number of great/good innings. Ab de Villiers has many very good crucial, iconic knocks. From the blockathon to his last 2 comic series against Australia and India were he won both series for his team.

These numbers tell only a part of the story. De Villiers was more talented than Kohli but unfortunately he didn’t have half the guts and determination that Kohli has, and that is why Kohli will leave the game with a far, far greater legacy.

Kohli is a more prolific Test batsman and scores hundreds at a far greater rate, clearly illustrating his superior temperament and appetite for scoring runs.

In ODIs, in the 2010s, De Villiers batted most of the time at number 4 and capitalized on the platform set by the top 3. On the contrary, Kohli took responsibility at number 3. This is why in spite of de Villiers’ fantastic form, his team could not take full advantage.

Had de Villiers batted at 3 in the 2015 World Cup which was his peak as an ODI batsman, South Africa would have definitely qualified for the final.

But as I said, de Villiers did not have the character of someone like Kohli. In the 2013 Champions Trophy semifinal when the ball was swinging around, he sent a bowling all-rounder like Peterson to bat at 3 because he wanted to protect himself from the swing. Funnily, he came onto bat when the conditions were easy for batting and he got a duck.

If we speak about ‘meaningful’ innings, then Kohli’s innings in the 2013 Champions Trophy is greater than any innings de Villiers has played in ODIs in this decade.

As far as the statement that de Villiers won his team the series against India in 2018, well he didn’t. He was outclassed by Kohli who scored more runs than him. Kohli was also the only batsman to score a hundred in that series which was by far the most bowling-friendly series in a very long time.

It was the only series in history where every single wicket fell, and the only reason South Africa won the series was that they won two tosses and opted to bat first twice. It was impossible to bat in the fourth innings on those pitches.

Kohli is a far greater player than de Villiers and history will remember him more than the man who played circus shots at the back end of the innings but ditched his team for franchise cricket at a time when they badly needed him.

Cricket is a game of character no matter how talented you are, and De Villiers is a great example.

 

[big_gamer007]

I can understand people choosing ABD or Smith but there are people actually saying Anderson and Cook are best players of decade? One can understand the bias, but if you were biased you could chose Smith or ABD, however, when someone says Anderson or Cook it shows their lack of knowledge. Or perhaps better would be to say they don't have any cricketing knowledge.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Tests :
Kohli averages 54.97
AB de Villiers averages 57.48.

In tests what is even more crucial in the number of great/good innings. Ab de Villiers has many very good crucial, iconic knocks. From the blockathon to his last 2 comic series against Australia and India were he won both series for his team.

abd averages 50.7

kohli is 55.

 

[Space Cat]

Personally i put far more stock in test cricket than odi cricket and dont really care about international T20 at all but its pretty hard to go past Kohli for his consistency. The only black mark is he becomes mr invisible when it comes to finals time.

 

[Ozymandiasza]

These numbers tell only a part of the story. De Villiers was more talented than Kohli but unfortunately he didn’t have half the guts and determination that Kohli has, and that is why Kohli will leave the game with a far, far greater legacy.

Kohli is a more prolific Test batsman and scores hundreds at a far greater rate, clearly illustrating his superior temperament and appetite for scoring runs.

In ODIs, in the 2010s, De Villiers batted most of the time at number 4 and capitalized on the platform set by the top 3. On the contrary, Kohli took responsibility at number 3. This is why in spite of de Villiers’ fantastic form, his team could not take full advantage.

Had de Villiers batted at 3 in the 2015 World Cup which was his peak as an ODI batsman, South Africa would have definitely qualified for the final.

But as I said, de Villiers did not have the character of someone like Kohli. In the 2013 Champions Trophy semifinal when the ball was swinging around, he sent a bowling all-rounder like Peterson to bat at 3 because he wanted to protect himself from the swing. Funnily, he came onto bat when the conditions were easy for batting and he got a duck.

If we speak about ‘meaningful’ innings, then Kohli’s innings in the 2013 Champions Trophy is greater than any innings de Villiers has played in ODIs in this decade.

As far as the statement that de Villiers won his team the series against India in 2018, well he didn’t. He was outclassed by Kohli who scored more runs than him. Kohli was also the only batsman to score a hundred in that series which was by far the most bowling-friendly series in a very long time.

It was the only series in history where every single wicket fell, and the only reason South Africa won the series was that they won two tosses and opted to bat first twice. It was impossible to bat in the fourth innings on those pitches.

Kohli is a far greater player than de Villiers and history will remember him more than the man who played circus shots at the back end of the innings but ditched his team for franchise cricket at a time when they badly needed him.

Cricket is a game of character no matter how talented you are, and De Villiers is a great example.

Your bias against anything South African is well known. AB filled whatever role his team required. He's played WK, finisher, no. 4, bowler. He's excelled at all of them. He played Kohli's India while in decline, when Kohli was at his peak, and still won the series for his nation. Your opinion cannot change that.

You have seen how CSA has failed in every aspect of their administrative responsibilities, yet you blame AB for the fiasco that was his retirement.

Shocking to say the least.

 

[Mamoon]

Your bias against anything South African is well known. AB filled whatever role his team required. He's played WK, finisher, no. 4, bowler. He's excelled at all of them. He played Kohli's India while in decline, when Kohli was at his peak, and still won the series for his nation. Your opinion cannot change that.

You have seen how CSA has failed in every aspect of their administrative responsibilities, yet you blame AB for the fiasco that was his retirement.

Shocking to say the least.

You can’t give him credit for that series win because Kohli outperformed him. You swap the two and would the result change? No.

South African won because they batted first twice. It was a weird but extremely entertaining series.

I am not interested in responding to accusations regarding my so-called bias to South Africa when some of my all-time favorite players are South African. You are free to believe what you want.

 

[Ozymandiasza]

abd averages 50.7

kohli is 55.

This thread is about 2010-2019. His stats are correct as per this link.

 

[Mamoon]

You can’t give him credit for that series win because Kohli outperformed him. You swap the two and would the result change? No.

South African won because they batted first twice. It was a weird but extremely entertaining series.

I am not interested in responding to accusations regarding my so-called bias to South Africa when some of my all-time favorite players are South African. You are free to believe what you want.

bias against South Africa*

 

[Ozymandiasza]

You can’t give him credit for that series win because Kohli outperformed him. You swap the two and would the result change? No.

South African won because they batted first twice. It was a weird but extremely entertaining series.

I am not interested in responding to accusations regarding my so-called bias to South Africa when some of my all-time favorite players are South African. You are free to believe what you want.

I have never heard you praise any South African player or series win like you do Indian or whichever side fits your contrarian mood. Who are these favourite SA players? Stating "Kohli is a far greater player than de Villiers..." when all the numbers, WCs, and test match situations paint a whole different picture. We've had this conversation countless times and you still insist on insulting AB in order to elevate Kohli. AB was a great player in his own right and cannot be compared to Kohli. Even Kohli praised AB as "the best batsman in the world by far". Is Kohli lying?

South Africa won against India because they played better cricket on revenge South African pitches, and that against a far younger and better side. They could have reached No. 1 ranking during that series as well, but fell short.

 

[Mamoon]

I have never heard you praise any South African player or series win like you do Indian or whichever side fits your contrarian mood. Who are these favourite SA players? Stating "Kohli is a far greater player than de Villiers..." when all the numbers, WCs, and test match situations paint a whole different picture. We've had this conversation countless times and you still insist on insulting AB in order to elevate Kohli. AB was a great player in his own right and cannot be compared to Kohli. Even Kohli praised AB as "the best batsman in the world by far". Is Kohli lying?

South Africa won against India because they played better cricket on revenge South African pitches, and that against a far younger and better side. They could have reached No. 1 ranking during that series as well, but fell short.

What stats? Kohli is on the brink of scoring the most ODI hundreds in history at an average of almost 60, in addition to be being the greatest chaser in history.

That alone puts him in a league of his own and dwarves all the other stats where de Villiers seems to excel.

I also see him scoring far more hundreds and double-hundreds in Test cricket, not to mention he is the most successful Asian Test captain ever.

All I see is Kohli getting the better of de Villiers in the important and meaningful stats.

G. Smith, Gibbs, Boucher, Klusener, de Kock, Faf, VD Dussen, Phehlukwayo, Miller, J. Malan, Rabada, Ndidi and Maharaj are all past and current South African players that I like and admire.

In fact, I like a greater number South African players than I like Pakistani players.

 

[Mamoon]

And it is some coincidence that South Africa outplayed India only in the Tests where they got to bat first.

 

[Ab Fan]

And it is some coincidence that South Africa outplayed India only in the Tests where they got to bat first.

It's captain Kohli's fault that he asked SA to bat first in 1st test.

 

[Mamoon]

It's captain Kohli's fault that he asked SA to bat first in 1st test.

He didn’t. Faf won the tosses in both the first and second Tests.

 

[Ab Fan]

He didn’t. Faf won the tosses in both the first and second Tests.

Thanks for correcting. I got it wrong. SA did won the toss in first test and opted to bat but at toss itself, Kohli said he would have opted to bowl, <B>so eventually the point stands</B>. Both Faf and Kohli wanted SA to bat first, so toss wasn't the advantage for SA in the first test.

 

[tyron_woodley]

This thread is about 2010-2019. His stats are correct as per this link.

well that stat is wrong. he never averaged more than kohli. 50.7

kohli is 54.8/55 now.

 

[tyron_woodley]

I have never heard you praise any South African player or series win like you do Indian or whichever side fits your contrarian mood. Who are these favourite SA players? Stating "Kohli is a far greater player than de Villiers..." when all the numbers, WCs, and test match situations paint a whole different picture. We've had this conversation countless times and you still insist on insulting AB in order to elevate Kohli. AB was a great player in his own right and cannot be compared to Kohli. Even Kohli praised AB as "the best batsman in the world by far". Is Kohli lying?

South Africa won against India because they played better cricket on revenge South African pitches, and that against a far younger and better side. They could have reached No. 1 ranking during that series as well, but fell short.

south africa is my second favourite team.. my partner is south african. But Damn ABD's stats in tests and odi and even t20 is inferior.

he has a higher average in world cups I believe and that's because lot of times kohli doesn't even get to bat as much since dhawan and rohit take the game away from the opposition in ICC tournaments.

I give the edge to ABD in knockout stages of world cups though.

in tests kohli has been better.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Regarding Kohli vs ABDV during the 2010 decade, i have to say Kohli started at ranking of 130,150,100 in three formats His growth is phenomenal during this time. ABDV was more a 2000 era guy. He was already an established batsman. Kohli was still finding his feet when the decade started Kohli had 1 century before 2010 Now 70 centuries Finishing the decade wth no.1 rank in 2 formats Even in the other one he lost the no.1 ranking only by not playing rather than performing poorly.

 

[Sunny_majoka]

It could have been AB but he ruined his career, Kohli is best batsman of the decade

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

2010's was a mediocre decade in terms of available talent. My focus is primarily test cricket but also ODIs.

And I am not saying this because one glorifies the past more.

It's just that batting and bowling attacks at most teams last decade were incredibly shallow. You hardly remember any out and out fast bowling rivalries, any magical spinning talents, any batsman other than maybe a couple who led backs to the wall performances day in and day out and any team that set the benchmark of being feared on every surface and every condition - like the Australians and the West Indians. You had teams winning at home and losing away. You had teams who got to no 1 and got decimated in alien conditions in the very next series. Yes there were some memorable matches, such is the nature of cricket, but don't tell me those matches were between invincibles. All this allowed for players to pile on records against toothless oppositions and yet how meaningful were those records?

The sudden decline of a team like South Africa and continued decline of Pakistan and West Indies just did not help make it a compelling cricket scene.

If there is something that improved, it was fielding skills, unusual shots, unorthodox bowling and a different colored ball. All good and nice but hardly the stuff that defines cricket.

Players like Kohli, Steyn, Smith will be great in any era but they are very few bright spots from very very slim pickings from this decade.

Good riddance to 2010's.

 

[Mamoon]

Thanks for correcting. I got it wrong. SA did won the toss in first test and opted to bat but at toss itself, Kohli said he would have opted to bowl, <B>so eventually the point stands</B>. Both Faf and Kohli wanted SA to bat first, so toss wasn't the advantage for SA in the first test.

He was playing mind games and wanted to give his players confidence. It is the sign of a great leader. He and the players knew that the toss did not go their way but he did not want the world to know.

He is not the only one. It is quite normal for captains to dismiss the outcome of a toss at that moment to boost his and the players’ confidence.

 

[Slog]

He was playing mind games and wanted to give his players confidence. It is the sign of a great leader. He and the players knew that the toss did not go their way but he did not want the world to know.

He is not the only one. It is quite normal for captains to dismiss the outcome of a toss at that moment to boost his and the players’ confidence.

Lol what the heck. Did Kohli call and tell you about this?

You are dealing in conjecture and fantasy made up stories a lot these days which usually means one is grasping on straws to keep arguing for his point.

 

[Mamoon]

Lol what the heck. Did Kohli call and tell you about this?

You are dealing in conjecture and fantasy made up stories a lot these days which usually means one is grasping on straws to keep arguing for his point.

That is my take on it but if you don’t agree that is your point of view. The point is that South Africa won that series not because they played better cricket but because they batted first twice.

It was the most bowling-friendly series in arguably forever and it is not surprising that all three matches were won by sides that batted first.

Furthermore, the argument that de Villiers won that series for South Africa and Kohli didn’t for India doesn’t hold up because Kohli outperformed him.

His 153 at Centurion was easily the innings of the series and overall he scored more runs than de Villiers.

If you swap the two with Kohli playing for South Africa and de Villiers playing for India, South Africa would have still won the series had they batted first twice.

Hence, de Villiers does not deserve credit for helping South Africa win the series. He was not the stand out player of the series.

 

[Ab Fan]

Regarding Kohli vs ABDV during the 2010 decade, i have to say Kohli started at ranking of 130,150,100 in three formats His growth is phenomenal during this time. ABDV was more a 2000 era guy. He was already an established batsman. Kohli was still finding his feet when the decade started Kohli had 1 century before 2010 Now 70 centuries Finishing the decade wth no.1 rank in 2 formats Even in the other one he lost the no.1 ranking only by not playing rather than performing poorly.

It could have been AB if he had continued with the same form till 2019. But he decided to take rest for two years in 2016 and then retired after playing two test series. So, it's Kohli by quite a margin as far as 2010-19 is concerned.

 

[Ab Fan]

He was playing mind games and wanted to give his players confidence. It is the sign of a great leader. He and the players knew that the toss did not go their way but he did not want the world to know.

He is not the only one. It is quite normal for captains to dismiss the outcome of a toss at that moment to boost his and the players’ confidence.

Lol, don't make up opinions on your own.

I will tell you what exactly Kohli said during toss. He said that earlier SA were warming up with four pacers, so it looked as if SA would have gone with that ATG quartet of Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada and Morne Morkel on a pitch which had grass on day 1 and the conditions were equipped to bowling which eventually happened.

It's quite apparent that sub continental teams, who are generally not that equipped with batting on those SA conditions, would rather go for bowling first, more so when the attack as lethal as mentioned is warming up and are set to have a go.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Lol, don't make up opinions on your own.

I will tell you what exactly Kohli said during toss. He said that earlier SA were warming up with four pacers, so it looked as if SA would have gone with that ATG quartet of Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada and Morne Morkel on a pitch which had grass on day 1 and the conditions were equipped to bowling which eventually happened.

It's quite apparent that sub continental teams, who are generally not that equipped with batting on those SA conditions, would rather go for bowling first, more so when the attack as lethal as mentioned is warming up and are set to have a go.

pace is like the antithesis of a player like Vernon. pace and him dont belong in one sentence. genius SENA condition bowler though.

No one in their right mind would bowl first in Australian and south african conditions. You always bat first to win. Batting last in the 2nd innings is awfully hard and it's very difficult to chase due to the nature of the pitch.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Sri Lanka won because they got flatter pitches vs south africa. south africa were just really angry at india due to 2015 demolition lol. They wanted revenge.