Former Indian opening batter and commentator Aakash Chopra has stated that the Indian talismanic batter Virat Kohli is superior to the former legendary Indian batter Sachin Tendulkar in ODI cricket when comparing their away numbers.
Notably, the Kohli vs Sachin debate turned into a wildfire after the former South African middle-order batter AB de Villiers asserted that Tendulkar wasn’t strong enough then Kohli when it comes to tackling bouncy and seaming overseas conditions.
Tendulkar is the all-time leading ODI run-scorer with 18,426 runs at an average of 44.83, while Kohli is second on the list with 14,941 runs at an average of 58.59. While Tendulkar has an away average of 43.04, Kohli boasts 55.68.
“Overall in SENA countries, Virat clearly has Sachin beat. When it comes to ODI cricket, there is no comparison. Even with any parameter and excuses like the difference in eras accounted for, there hasn’t been a better ODI player than Virat Kohli. No one has understood ODI cricket better than Kohli. He has measured this format like a calculator and become the run machine, ton machine, and chase master. So while Sachin has stolen the march between these two in Tests, in ODIs, it’s clearly Virat Kohli,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
“In Australia, New Zealand and England, Kohli wins over Sachin by numbers in ODIs. Virat Kohli is just the ODI GOAT and the best to have played this format. And he is not slowing down and not stopping anytime soon. When it comes to South Africa, you have to hold your breath before seeing Kohli’s numbers. He averages over 76 in ODIs in South Africa, when usually everyone else’s numbers drop off there. Unfortunately, Sachin averages only 38 even in South Africa,” he added.
In SENA countries, Tendulkar averages 38.22 at a strike rate of 82.42 in 135 matches. Meanwhile, Kohli boasts an average of 54.67 and a strike rate in excess of 90 in 101 games. Moreover, Chopra reckoned that a longer stint in the middle order works to Tendulkar’s disadvantage.
“It is important to remember that during Sachin’s time, scores were much lower. He also started in the lower middle-order when reverse swing was prevalent. Kohli also started lower in the order, but he climbed the ladder quickly, while it took Sachin longer. Because of that, Virat has a slight advantage, but even accounting for that, Kohli’s numbers are absolutely outstanding,” he concluded.
