Former South African cricket captain AB de Villiers has ignited a lively discussion on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), by claiming that Virat Kohli surpasses Sachin Tendulkar as a batter in challenging overseas conditions characterized by seam and bounce.
In a recent episode of his YouTube channel, AB de Villiers 360, the ex-Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) player stated that while Tendulkar was the pioneer for subcontinent players in tough overseas scenarios, Kohli has elevated that legacy to new heights.
He remarked, ‘Sachin Tendulkar was the first to demonstrate that a subcontinent batter could excel in bouncy and seaming conditions. However, Virat has taken that forward and set a higher standard.’
Reactions from the Cricket Community
De Villiers’ comments did not resonate well with many in the Indian cricket community, who quickly contested his viewpoint. Numerous fans pointed out that comparing Kohli and Tendulkar in this manner is unjust, considering Tendulkar’s superior records and batting averages in nearly every major overseas Test venue.
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Dodda Ganesh’s Response
The former South African cricketer faced backlash, including a sharp retort from Dodda Ganesh, a former Indian pacer. Ganesh humorously suggested on X that de Villiers might have been under the influence when making such a comparison.
‘Pass on the weed, brother,’ he quipped.
Statistical Comparison: Tendulkar vs. Kohli
Despite de Villiers’ experience playing alongside both Tendulkar and Kohli, his remarks overlooked the impressive statistics that Tendulkar amassed during his 24-year career, where he consistently performed well in countries like Australia, England, South Africa, and New Zealand.
Currently, Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most runs in Test cricket history, with 15,921 runs, including 51 centuries and 68 fifties, at an average of 53.78 over 329 innings in 200 matches. In contrast, Virat Kohli ranks 19th on the all-time list, with 9,230 runs, 30 centuries, and 31 fifties, averaging 46.85 across 210 innings in 123 matches.
When examining their overseas Test performances, Tendulkar has a clear advantage, scoring 8,705 runs, with 29 centuries and 36 fifties, at an average of 54.74 in 106 matches. Kohli, meanwhile, has accumulated 4,894 runs, with 16 centuries and 18 fifties, averaging 41.12 in 68 overseas Tests.
In SENA countries, Tendulkar scored 5,387 runs, including 17 centuries and 23 fifties, at an average of 51.3 in 63 matches, while Kohli has 3,871 runs, with 12 centuries and 14 fifties, averaging 41.54 in 48 matches.
While Tendulkar’s statistics may place him ahead, de Villiers’ comments emphasize Kohli’s significant impact in adapting to difficult conditions and setting a new benchmark for Indian batters.