Nov 9, 20234 min read

Kohli = Sachin = 49 tons; Is Virat the most complete ODI batter ever?

Virat Kohli equals Sachin Tendulkar's 49 ODI hundred record. Is Virat Kohli the most complete ODI batter ever?

Virat Kohli equals Sachin Tendulkar's 49 ODI hundred record | Walking Wicket (Photo: ©X/Twitter) — Virat Kohli equals Sachin Tendulkar's 49 ODI hundred record (Photo: ©X/Twitter)

Celebrating his 35th birthday at Eden Gardens, Virat Kohli achieved a childhood dream—matching Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 ODI centuries. Despite previous misses, Kohli's determination prevailed, marked by a humble celebration, removing his helmet and acknowledging the applause.

Kohli's greatness in the 50-over format lies in his ability to swiftly read the game's dynamics and tackle bowlers on his terms, often paying minimal attention to the other end. Let's delve into his ODI statistics to unveil the perfection and completeness of his batting prowess over the years.

A giant ODI career with 13626 runs in 277 innings

In his colossal ODI career, Kohli amassed 13,626 runs in 277 innings with an impressive average of 58.48 and a strike rate of 93.55. The record includes 49 centuries and 70 fifties, showcasing his remarkable consistency. With 119 instances of scoring 50 or more runs in 277 innings, Kohli makes a significant impact in almost every other inning. As he continues to reign supreme in the ODI arena, his numbers narrate a tale of sustained excellence and a relentless pursuit of cricketing perfection.

Let’s break down Virat Kohli’s ODI tally year-wise from 2008

Year	Innings	Runs	Avg	S/R	50s/100s	HS
2008	05	159	31.80	66.53	01/00	54
2009	24	995	54.17	84.42	02/01	107
2010	34	1381	47.38	85.12	07/03	118
2011	17	1026	47.61	85.56	08/04	117
2012	30	1268	68.40	93.78	03/05	183
2013	20	1054	52.83	97.54	07/04	115*
2014	20	623	58.56	99.62	05/04	139*
2015	20	623	36.65	80.60	01/02	138
2016	10	739	92.38	100.00	04/03	154*
2017	26	1460	76.84	99.12	07/06	131
2018	14	1202	133.56	102.56	03/06	160*
2019	25	1377	59.87	96.36	07/05	123
2020	09	431	47.89	92.29	00/05	89

2021	03	129	43.00	86.58	02/00	66
2022	11	302	27.45	87.03	02/01	113
2023	21	1115	72.19	99.83	06/05	166*
Overall	277	13626	58.48	93.55	70/49	183

Kohli's century-per-inning ratio of 5.65 outshines Tendulkar's 9.22, emphasizing his unparalleled consistency. Kohli surpassed Tendulkar in achieving 1000 ODI runs in eight years, including a remarkable streak of four consecutive years, showcasing his dominance in the cricketing arena.

CWC 2023, India vs South Africa_ Virat Kohli scored 49th ODI hundred; India beat South Africa _ Walking Wicket (Photo_ ©BCCI_Twitter) — Kohli averages over 40 against all Test playing nation (Photo: ©BCCI/Twitter)

Kohli’s love affair with every single opponent with a 40+ average

Maintaining an average above 40 is considered commendable in cricket, but for Virat Kohli, it stands as his lowest point against teams he's played more than once. Even this "lowest" average showcases his exceptional standards. The exception is the Netherlands, where he played only one game in 2011, managing a modest 12 runs. Against all other opponents, whether giants or challengers, Kohli's consistency and excellence shine through, a testament to his cricketing prowess.

Versus	Innings	Runs	Avg	S/R	50s/100s	HS
Afghanistan	02	122	122.0	102.52	02/00	67
Australia	46	2313	53.70	94.22	13/08	123
Bangladesh	16	910	75.83	101.79	03/05	136
England	36	1340	41.88	88.16	09/03	122
Ireland	02	78	78.00	82.11	00/00	44*
Netherlands	01	12	12.00	60.00	00/00	12
New Zealand	30	1528	56.39	95.14	09/05	154*
Pakistan	16	678	52.15	100.30	02/03	183
South Africa	29	1504	65.39	85.75	08/05	160*
Sri Lanka	51	2594	63.27	93.92	12/10	166*
UAE	01	33	--	80.49	00/00	33*
West Indies	41	2261	66.50	96.96	11/09	157*
Zimbabwe	06	253	50.60	86.94	01/01	115

Comparing this segment with Tendulkar proves challenging given the latter's extensive number of innings against most opponents. Tendulkar, having batted in 80 innings against Sri Lanka, exhibits a commendable average of 43.85. Similarly, his encounters with Australia resulted in an impressive average of 44.59 across 70 innings.

Kohli’s equal dominance in both home and away

Moving to Kohli, his dominance extends beyond specific opponents and transcends geographical boundaries. Whether playing on home soil or away, Kohli maintains a strikingly consistent record. His remarkable average of 60.46, with 23 out of 49 centuries achieved in India, is nothing short of mind-boggling. Additionally, Kohli's versatility is evident in the fact that he has notched centuries in all nine countries where he has played ODIs, showcasing his adaptability and mastery across diverse cricketing conditions.

Played In	Innings	Runs	Avg	S/R	50s/100s	HS
Australia	29	1327	51.04	89.06	06/05	133*
Bangladesh	18	1097	73.13	101.57	03/06	183
England & Wales	33	1349	51.88	91.21	12/01	107
India	116	6046	60.46	96.74	31/23	166*
New Zealand	13	596	49.67	91.41	04/01	123
South Africa	18	993	76.38	88.35	06/03	160*
Sri Lanka	26	1028	48.95	88.70	02/05	131
West Indies	17	825	58.93	91.56	03/04	120
Zimbabwe	07	365	60.83	84.88	03/01	115
Overall	277	13626	58.48	93.55	70/49	183

When examining Kohli's performances across countries where he has batted for at least 15 innings, a notable consistency emerges with a 50+ average in all except Sri Lanka. In contrast, Tendulkar's prolific home record stands out, amassing 20 centuries in ODIs played across 16 countries.

Virat Kohli or Sachin Tendulkar who is better ODI bastsman_batter_ _ Walking Wicket (Photo_ ©X_Twitter) — Kohli has 27 hundred in chase while Sachin has 17 (Photo: ©X/Twitter)

Chase master Kohli holds edge over Tendulkar

In the domain of ODI chases, Virat Kohli asserts his dominance as the "chase master." His impressive tally of 27 hundreds, coupled with an average of 65.50, surpasses Sachin Tendulkar's 17 centuries in the second innings, where the latter maintains an average of 42.33. Kohli's ability to thrive under pressure and excel in chase situations establishes him with an edge over the cricketing legend Tendulkar in this specific facet of the game.

Innings	Innings	Runs	Avg	S/R	50s/100s	HS
First	125	5832	51.16	93.43	30/22	166*
Second	152	22794	65.50	93.64	40/27	183
Overall	277	13626	58.48	93.55	70/49	183

In team victories, Kohli sets an unprecedented benchmark with a staggering 75.43 average and 41 centuries, constituting 84% of the total tally. Tendulkar, a legend in his own right, holds a 56.63 average and 33 centuries contributing to triumphs. While Tendulkar's impact is undeniable, Kohli's statistical dominance underscores his unparalleled influence, solidifying him as a key architect of team success.

Result	Innings	Runs	Avg	S/R	50s/100s	HS	% Team
Won	171	9881	75.43	96.96	42/41	183	21.21
Lost	97	3449	35.93	85.73	27/07	123	14.56
Tied	05	202	50.50	93.95	00/01	157*	13.57
No Result	04	94	47.00	69.12	01/00	94	11.26
Overall	277	13626	58.48	93.55	70/49	183	18.77

42 fifties and 41 centuries in winning causes for Kohli mean when he gets set in the middle, he finishes the game.

Kohli in the race of touching Tendulkar in ODI WCs

In ODI World Cup runs, Tendulkar outshines Kohli, holding a prominent lead. In Kohli's fourth World Cup, he amassed 1573 runs in 34 innings, boasting a 58.25 average and an 87.24 strike rate. With 10 fifties and four centuries, including a high score of 107, Kohli's contributions are commendable. However, Tendulkar's legacy in this arena remains unparalleled, showcasing his impactful and prolific run-scoring ability in the cricketing world.

Player	Period	Innings	Runs	Avg	S/R	50s/100s	HS
SR Tendulkar	1992-2011	44	2278	56.95	88.98	15/06	152
V Kohli	2011-2023	34	1573	58.25	87.24	10/04	107

Should Kohli's health permit, he might aim to approach Tendulkar's outstanding ODI World Cup run tally, currently holding a substantial lead over Ricky Ponting.

In Kohli's realm, team benefit takes precedence. His commitment is evident in every run, sprint, and dive. Fourteen years into his ODI dominance, the complete batter has solidified his reign. Amidst his extraordinary feats, Kohli consistently prioritizes the team. If this selflessness doesn't epitomize greatness, what does?