Virat Kohli certainly qualifies as the finest white-ball batter of all time, but when it comes to Test cricket, Sachin Tendulkar is undoubtedly India’s greatest. To suggest otherwise is a rather outrageous take, especially given how Kohli struggled in Tests during the last five years of his career. A growing drought of centuries, a dipping average, and a familiar pattern of dismissals tarnished Kohli’s legacy, which, until 2020, had been on an untouchable trajectory. It’s understandable why AB de Villiers feels the way he does, calling Kohli the stronger overseas Test batter. But at the end of the day, as great as Kohli was, Tendulkar was simply better, and by some distance.
De Villiers and Kohli share a wonderful bond. That explains the remark. Then again, Tendulkar’s record alone proves de Villiers wrong. With 8,705 runs from 106 Tests at an average of 54.7, including 29 centuries, Sachin is India’s most prolific overseas Test batter. Kohli, with 4,894 runs from 68 Tests, trails him by nearly 4,000 runs despite playing almost 40 fewer games. Kohli enjoyed a period of dominance between 2014 and 2019, but Tendulkar was consistently exceptional, especially in the SENA nations, throughout much of his 24-year, storied career.
Tendulkar miles ahead of Kohli
The similarities are there. Tendulkar and Kohli each scored a century on their maiden tours of Australia. But the impact of those innings was poles apart. Tendulkar’s 148 in Sydney and 114 at Perth are considered two of the most impactful innings even today, 35 years later, whereas Kohli’s 116 in Adelaide in 2011 was a saving grace in an otherwise 4-0 whitewash, as he finished the series as India’s lone century-maker. Against England, Tendulkar smashed a match-saving hundred at Old Trafford in Manchester, whereas Kohli’s struggles were evident. With 134 runs from 10 innings, Kohli often refers to the 2014 tour as the most nightmarish series of his career.