Is Virat Kohli better than Sachin Tendulkar?

If you look at the record of the two players, while their Test numbers are similar, Kohli has a rather staggering ODI record, way better than the Mumbai maestro...

- Renin Wilben

Comparisons, they say, are often unfair. However, it is also a fact that it is human nature to compare greats from different eras. Recently, former England batsman Kevin Pietersen reopened the Sachin Tendulkar vs Virat Kohli debate when he stated that the current Indian captain is a better player than the Master Blaster, especially because of his incredible chasing record. According to KP, Kohli consistently wins games for India under pressure, which gives him an edge over Tendulkar. So, is Kohli really ‘better’ than Tendulkar?

NUMBERS FAVOUR KOHLI, BUT…

If you look at the record of the two players, while their Test numbers are similar, Kohli has a rather staggering ODI record, way better than the Mumbai maestro. Tendulkar scored 15,921 runs in 200 Tests at an average of 53.78 with 51 hundred and 18,426 runs in 463 ODIs at an average of 44.83 with 49 hundred. Kohli, on the other hand, has already amassed 7,240 runs in 86 Tests averaging 53.62 with 27 hundred. In 248 ODIs, he has smashed 11,867 runs at an average of 59.33 with 43 tons.