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Virat Kohli vs Hashim Amla in Tests - Who would you pick?

Ab Fan

Ab Fan

Senior Test Player
Joined
Sep 24, 2015
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27,564
Arguably, two of the most popular non-Pakistani cricketer in PP in the last 5-6 years. While Amla, at one point was the best test batsmen going around in the world, currently it is Virat Kohli, who is ranked as no.1 test batsmen in the world.

Here are the stats:-

Hashim Amla

Matches:- 119
Runs:- 9022
Avg:- 47.23
100s:- 28

Virat Kohli

Matches:- 70
Runs:- 6098
Avg:- 54.45
100s:- 23

Now, if we look at some series-dominant performance of both, here we go:-

1) Amla dominated a series in 2010 India, 2012 England and 2012 Australia and had played a match-saving inning in Sri Lanka as well.

2) Kohli also, to his credit, already has dominated a series in Australia 2014, SA 2018 and England 2018 and has also dominated series against England and Sri Lanka at home.

If we look at Amla's career, it can be divided into three parts:-

Between 2004-2009:- Avg 39
2010-2014:- Avg 65
2015-2018:- Avgs 36

For Kohli, if we do:-

2011-2014:- Avgs 44
2015-2018:- Avgs 70
____________________


So, who would you pick in the real format of the cricket? Remember, this is not gully-danda cricket we are talking about.
 
Ab Fan said:
Arguably, two of the most popular non-Pakistani cricketer in PP in the last 5-6 years. While Amla, at one point was the best test batsmen going around in the world, currently it is Virat Kohli, who is ranked as no.1 test batsmen in the world.

Here are the stats:-

Hashim Amla

Matches:- 119
Runs:- 9022
Avg:- 47.23
100s:- 28

Virat Kohli

Matches:- 70
Runs:- 6098
Avg:- 54.45
100s:- 23

Now, if we look at some series-dominant performance of both, here we go:-

1) Amla dominated a series in 2010 India, 2012 England and 2012 Australia and had played a match-saving inning in Sri Lanka as well.

2) Kohli also, to his credit, already has dominated a series in Australia 2014, SA 2018 and England 2018 and has also dominated series against England and Sri Lanka at home.

If we look at Amla's career, it can be divided into three parts:-

Between 2004-2009:- Avg 39
2010-2014:- Avg 65
2015-2018:- Avgs 36

For Kohli, if we do:-

2011-2014:- Avgs 44
2015-2018:- Avgs 70
____________________


So, who would you pick in the real format of the cricket? Remember, this is not gully-danda cricket we are talking about.
Click to expand...

@mods, could you rectify a bit of typo error for Kohli?

2011-2015:- Avgs 44
2016-2018:- Avgs 70
 
Varun said:
Need you ask? :batman:
Click to expand...

Inside they will be burning to have a player like Kohli in their lineup (in any point of their era)! At least we never had this kind of false respect towards their yesteryear great bowlers!
 
If you take out Amla's purple patch during 2010 - 2014 he's been an average batsman. Kohli's ton conversion is just miles better and his record in SENA with 10 tons in 24 tests is just extraordinary. With the exception of AUS - SA, NZ and England's bowling attacks have all been better in the post 2010 era compared to the one in 2000s and the wickets there are still very bowling friendly.

I can see Kohli maintaining his 50+ average for another 3-5 years (at least) because he's just a far better batsman who is far more hungry for success. It wouldn't surprise me if he was to end his career at 38-40 and surpass Tendulkar's test tons.

Kohli's ability, drive, passion, discipline and mental strength is what distinguishes him to Amla who isn't an ATG. His career achievements are excellent but they are not suffice to warrant such a comparison.

Only a fool or a fanatic would take Amla over Kohli.
 
Amla is not worthy of being mentioned in the same sentence as Kohli.

The former is just a very good player who looked legendary for a short period of time, while the latter is a one of the greatest batsmen of all time.

Kohli is top five batsmen of all time material, while Amla would barely break into the top twenty at best.
 
RamLakhan said:
Inside they will be burning to have a player like Kohli in their lineup (in any point of their era)! At least we never had this kind of false respect towards their yesteryear great bowlers!
Click to expand...

Nobody is burning you respect good players from other teams but concentrate on your own players when it comes to supporting your own team. And what is so offensive about this thread anyway? Amla is a great players too.
 
Ab Fan said:
[MENTION=129948]Bilal7[/MENTION], your take on it.
Click to expand...

I'd pick Amla. Kohli is partly the reason India have not won a series away from India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh since 2009 and have been humiliated on these tours more often than not. That average means nothing when he can't find that extra 10-20% that is the difference between a very good innings that helps India compete in a match/series and a great innings that helps India win a match/series.

Amla's greatest innings have brought glory to South African cricket and he has done it all over the world across many years and against a multitude of great bowlers. Kohli, although in his prime right now and the best batsman in the world (excluding Steven Smith), has either choked or failed when a team victory has been in sight.

The 'weak team' excuse does not work in Kohli's case because he has played with some of India's greatest players ever and even the current Indian lineup (#1 in the world as their supporters like reminding everyone) is quite strong with an excellent bowling attack. The fact that they got thrashed by an English team in serious transition, with Kohli failing at some of the key moments in the series, means that at least some of the blame has to fall on their best player and captain.
 
RamLakhan said:
Inside they will be burning to have a player like Kohli in their lineup (in any point of their era)! At least we never had this kind of false respect towards their yesteryear great bowlers!
Click to expand...

I would love to have both Amla and Kohli in the Pakistan team. Who wouldn't? You seem confused.
 
Mamoon said:
Amla is not worthy of being mentioned in the same sentence as Kohli.

The former is just a very good player who looked legendary for a short period of time, while the latter is a one of the greatest batsmen of all time.

Kohli is top five batsmen of all time material, while Amla would barely break into the top twenty at best.
Click to expand...

Yup, Amla is a good test batsman, no doubt about it. But kohli is in a different league.
 
Bilal7 said:
I'd pick Amla. Kohli is partly the reason India have not won a series away from India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh since 2009 and have been humiliated on these tours more often than not. That average means nothing when he can't find that extra 10-20% that is the difference between a very good innings that helps India compete in a match/series and a great innings that helps India win a match/series.

Amla's greatest innings have brought glory to South African cricket and he has done it all over the world across many years and against a multitude of great bowlers. Kohli, although in his prime right now and the best batsman in the world (excluding Steven Smith), has either choked or failed when a team victory has been in sight.

The 'weak team' excuse does not work in Kohli's case because he has played with some of India's greatest players ever and even the current Indian lineup (#1 in the world as their supporters like reminding everyone) is quite strong with an excellent bowling attack. The fact that they got thrashed by an English team in serious transition, with Kohli failing at some of the key moments in the series, means that at least some of the blame has to fall on their best player and captain.
Click to expand...

Ok. Fair enough!
 
Virat Kohli . He's entering his peak now and he's been averaging and scoring at amazing rate in the last couple of years in test. Another 3 or 4 years of this performance will cement him as one of the great test batsmen of all time. Amla had 1 good period between 2010-2014, other than that he has struggled in tests although that run was an amazing run. When the pressure was on after Smith and Kallis retirement, he hasn't performed. Whilst when the senior players have retired for India,Kohli has thrived and is without doubt the best test batsmen in his team.
 
Kohli. Even out of his peak he averaged 44. Against the best attacks and all across the globe.

He’s now matured as a player and averages 70 from 2015-2018.

Kohli is in the top 3 greatest batsman of all time across the board.

Amla in all honesty does not even warrant an argument for ATG.
 
I would say, Amla is a South African great in tests and a very good ODI batsmen as well.

Kohli, on other hand, should go on and become an undisputed ATG in tests and GOAT in ODIs.
 
Ab Fan said:
I would say, Amla is a South African great in tests and a very good ODI batsmen as well.

Kohli, on other hand, should go on and become an undisputed ATG in tests and GOAT in ODIs.
Click to expand...

He very well can. I hope you understand that I am not taking the future into account here, I'm only comparing them on what they have both done thus far. Kohli should get better and when he does, I'll have no problems giving him the credit he deserves.
 
Bilal7 said:
He very well can. I hope you understand that I am not taking the future into account here, I'm only comparing them on what they have both done thus far. Kohli should get better and when he does, I'll have no problems giving him the credit he deserves.
Click to expand...

Yes, I got your point.
 
The thing with Kohli is. People think that he is at his peak but then the next year he breaks his own past records and then people say he is at his peak now.

The guy is machine!
 
Bilal7 said:
I'd pick Amla. Kohli is partly the reason India have not won a series away from India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh since 2009 and have been humiliated on these tours more often than not. That average means nothing when he can't find that extra 10-20% that is the difference between a very good innings that helps India compete in a match/series and a great innings that helps India win a match/series.

Amla's greatest innings have brought glory to South African cricket and he has done it all over the world across many years and against a multitude of great bowlers. Kohli, although in his prime right now and the best batsman in the world (excluding Steven Smith), has either choked or failed when a team victory has been in sight.

The 'weak team' excuse does not work in Kohli's case because he has played with some of India's greatest players ever and even the current Indian lineup (#1 in the world as their supporters like reminding everyone) is quite strong with an excellent bowling attack. The fact that they got thrashed by an English team in serious transition, with Kohli failing at some of the key moments in the series, means that at least some of the blame has to fall on their best player and captain.
Click to expand...

Just out of curiosity, Could you refresh my mind about the no of matches and innings which Amla has won single handedly for South Africa as you have mentioned. Also, please do mention the venues.
 
Kohli is in league of tendulkar, Lara, Viv etc.

Amla is two tiers below in league of younis, Pieterson, etc
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Well, speaking as factually as possible, you could pick both. Amla has batted from 1-3 in many, many matches, whereas Kohli is often at 4. However, if in a hypothetical situation only one could be picked, I would edge it to Amla...for now.
 
Mamoon said:
Amla is not worthy of being mentioned in the same sentence as Kohli.

The former is just a very good player who looked legendary for a short period of time, while the latter is a one of the greatest batsmen of all time.

Kohli is top five batsmen of all time material, while Amla would barely break into the top twenty at best.
Click to expand...

I agree, this shouldn't even be a question. Would anyone in their right mind actually pick any batsman in the world at the moment, let alone Amla over Virat Kohli in any form of the game?
 
Both have had a very similar test career up till now. They both took time to find their footing and then followed it with an incredible peak of 5-6 years and then ended their careers with a prolonged slump that took their averages from 50’s to mid 40’s .

I am leaning slightly to Hashim as he imo played more clutch knocks in test
Cricket but if someone goes for Kohli I will not be surprised

Thoughts?
 
Kohli is better player has more sponsorship and more people pay to watch him.

How can we compare with Amla? Kohli has more runs and more influence.
 
Kohli stats till 2018 in test were brilliant. As a cricket fan one would be very disappointed how his test career panned out
 
Well that is perfect case where stats don't you tell you the whole story.
Both have quite similar stats but Amla is a far better player.
Amla is better against pace bowling, is better against spin bowling. Hashim has played so many crucial innings and you can't ignore the fact that he played so many matches at 3 in South Africa.


Kohli would be better than Amla only against poor bowlers on a placid pitch, he will "dominate" more in these conditions.
 
Kohli, same stats but tougher runs, his 2018 England series and 2018 South African tour are still stuff of legends, his Australia record is just him padding worthless hundreds.
 
Both batsmen are better than their stats.

Amla has performed very well vs top teams like Aus, Eng, India, NZ, Pak and SL away. At home, he has done well vs top teams too.

Kohli has also performed very well vs top teams but he has suffered due to tougher batting pitches he has got in home conditions as well as in South Africa. Root and Smith simply didn’t got batting conditions as tough as what Kohli got there but anyways that is only about South Africa.

Overall when I compare their skills set, Amla is way ahead vs swing and seam. Kohli is ahead vs pace and bounce. Both were superb vs spin at prime but declined heavily. Both really good on flatter decks. I think Amla may just take it due to being so good vs lateral movement, a skill that is diminishing.
 
atreus said:
Kohli, same stats but tougher runs, his 2018 England series and 2018 South African tour are still stuff of legends, his Australia record is just him padding worthless hundreds.
Click to expand...
His 2014 tour of Australia is arguably his best series it was a certain 4-0 whitewash if he did not stood up
 
Xoib said:
His 2014 tour of Australia is arguably his best series it was a certain 4-0 whitewash if he did not stood up
Click to expand...
That says a lot about his career if that tour is his best. Scoring runs on pathas, this is all he has done.
 
Hashim Amla for me has many more iconic knocks than VK.

His triple century vs Eng is still so memorable and he was fasting during it😱
 
This is a good comparison now, they are pretty much neck and neck, comes down to preference. I will say Kohli due to his more attacking range with his strokes, more so due to entertainment factor but it’s hard to split the two otherwise and Amla was class to watch as well.
 
To me it's Amla, bcz even after his decline he has some clutch knocks, and did try to stay in the crease as long as possible while Kohli after decline just fishing offside again and again..
 
GgVsTsibIAADkkK
 
The thread was created based on same gist.

Fairly decent first 4 years
Sensational Peak
Pretty awful last 4 years
 
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