Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli (Image: Twitter/X)
The stage was set for Virat Kohli at Eden Gardens, to celebrate his 35th birthday with a record-equalling 49th ODI ton. And he did not disappoint. It was not one of his stroke-filled knocks, but a much-needed one for the team on a track where South Africa’s spinners got appreciable turn.
All of Eden Gardens seemed to be illuminated as Kohli drew alongside his idol, Sachin Tendulkar. Here is a statistical comparison between these two all-time greats.
Innings taken
Tendulkar scored his 49th ton against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup 2012. However, he notched up that century after a gap of one year as his 48th ODI hundred had come against South Africa during the 2011 ODI World Cup. He scored those 49 centuries in 452 innings. Meanwhile, Kohli has now scored the same number of hundreds in 277 ODI innings.
Best years
Fans witnessed the carnage from the Master Blaster in 1998 when he smashed 9 ODI centuries. That unforgettable ‘Desert Storm’ knock against Australia in Sharjah that year still gives fans goosebumps.
For Kohli, 2017 and 2018 were the best years as he scored 6 ODI centuries in each year. In 2018, he scored three ODI centuries in a six-match series in South Africa.
World Cup Hundreds
Tendulkar played in six World Cups and managed to score the most runs in a single edition of the mega event twice. Until this World Cup, he had the record of scoring six World Cup centuries. But now, that record belongs to Rohit Sharma (seven).
On the other hand, Kohli has four ODI World Cup centuries to his name. In his first World Cup game back in 2011, he scored one against Bangladesh. Then, in the 2015 World Cup, he smashed a century against arch-rival Pakistan. The other two hundreds have come in this World Cup.
Virat Kohli (Image: Debasis Sen)
Favourite opponents and contribution to wins
Tendulkar scored the most centuries (9) against Australia, the strongest team of his generation, while Sri Lanka have been the favourite opponent for Kohli, who has 10 hundreds against them. But, when it comes to making a winning contribution, Kohli has a slight edge. As many as 41 of his centuries have come in India wins, while Tendulkar was on the winning side after 33 of his 49 ODI hundreds.
In India and outside Asia
After yesterday’s knock, Kohli has over 6000 ODI runs in India at an average of more than 60. Kohli has made 23 of his centuries in India, while the corresponding figure for Tendulkar is 20. Meanwhile, outside Asia, Kohli has 15 tons, compared to Tendulkar’s 11.
As Team India captain
Both these great players had the opportunity to lead the Men in Blue in the 50-over format. As captain, Tendulkar scored just six centuries in 70 innings. Kohli seemed to thrive on the added responsibility of leadership and took his game to the next level. He smashed 21 centuries in 91 innings as skipper.
It’s a very different game now, compared to what Tendulkar played three decades ago, with two new balls, different fielding restrictions and a far greater emphasis on fitness and athleticism. In his own way, Tendulkar was a pathbreaker, and as Kohli said poignantly at the post-match presentation, “He will always be my hero.”
The post A Tale of Two Masters – How Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli Got to 49 ODI Centuries appeared first on RevSportz | Latest Sports News.
The stage was set for Virat Kohli at Eden Gardens, to celebrate his 35th birthday with a record-equalling 49th ODI ton. And he did not disappoint. It was not one…
The post A Tale of Two Masters – How Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli Got to 49 ODI Centuries appeared first on RevSportz | Latest Sports News.
