Ever since emerging as the star of the Indian batting lineup, Virat Kohli was seen as a strong contender to surpass the records set by the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. However, after reaching the pinnacle of his career in 2015-16, Kohli faced a career-low period. Despite this, recent power-packed performances have rekindled his form, raising questions about his ability to surpass Tendulkar. Former Indian batter Robin Uthappa, though, believes that breaking records is not a primary concern for Kohli.
During a media interaction on Jio Cinema, Uthappa shared his perspective, stating, “Virat doesn’t really care about breaking records any more. We as people and fans are obsessed with it. He would much rather win matches for India irrespective of those hundreds. Virat’s focus will be on winning matches for India in the Asia Cup and World Cup. He doesn’t really care about the records.”
Comparing the statistics, Sachin Tendulkar played 463 ODIs over a remarkable 24-year career. In 452 innings, he scored 18,426 runs at an average of 44.8 and a strike rate of 86.2. In contrast, Kohli has participated in 275 ODIs, accumulating 12,898 runs in 265 innings at an average of 57.3 and a strike rate of 93.6.
In the realm of Test cricket, Tendulkar’s 200 appearances and 329 innings contributed to 15,921 runs at an average of 53.8. In comparison, Kohli has played 100 matches and 187 innings, amassing 8,676 runs at an average of 49.3.
Despite the numerical comparisons, Kohli stands as the second-highest in terms of international centuries with an impressive 76 tons, closely trailing Tendulkar’s record of 100 centuries.
Kohli faced a dip in his international performance over the last few years. However, his resurgence in the latter half of 2022, notably showcased by his remarkable knock of 82* off 53 against Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup, signals a regained form that can turn the tide of a nearly-lost match.
As the Asia Cup approaches on August 30, culminating in the final on September 17, it serves as a stepping stone for the ODI World Cup, set to commence on October 5. Kohli’s emphasis on securing victories for India instead of fixating solely on records exemplifies his evolved perspective on the game.