KKN Gurugram Desk | With Virat Kohli officially retiring from Test cricket in May 2025, a remarkable chapter in Indian cricket has come to a close. For over a decade, Kohli served as the backbone of India’s batting lineup in the red-ball format, often drawing comparisons with the only man consistently regarded as the gold standard in Indian cricket: Sachin Tendulkar.

Ever since Tendulkar’s retirement in 2013, cricket fans and analysts looked to Kohli as the next torchbearer of India’s batting greatness, particularly in the iconic No. 4 position. While Kohli undoubtedly carried the mantle with class and consistency, how close did he come to matching or surpassing the Little Master’s legendary numbers?

Let’s dive into a statistical comparison between Kohli and Tendulkar after 123 Tests each.

Overall Test Runs: Tendulkar Holds the Edge

Virat Kohli:

• Matches: 123

• Innings: 210

• Runs: 9,230

• Average: 46.85

• Highest Score: 254*

• Strike Rate: ~56

Sachin Tendulkar (After 123 Tests):

• Matches: 123

• Innings: 198

• Runs: 10,134

• Average: 57.25

• Highest Score: 248*

• Strike Rate: ~54

 Verdict:

Tendulkar leads with nearly 900 more runs than Kohli at the same career stage, with a significantly better average. His consistency across formats was unmatched, and these numbers underline his domination in Tests — even by Kohli’s high standards.

Test Centuries: Kohli Slightly Behind

 Virat Kohli:

• Centuries (100s): 30

• Half-Centuries (50s): 31

 Sachin Tendulkar (After 123 Tests):

• Centuries (100s): 34

• Half-Centuries (50s): 41

Kohli’s ability to convert fifties into hundreds was once hailed as one of his biggest strengths. However, in the last five years of his Test career, his form dipped noticeably — he scored only three centuries from 2020 to 2025, impacting his final tally.

In contrast, Sachin remained consistent even during the middle stages of his career and maintained his century-scoring prowess through the first 123 Tests.

Not Out Innings: Tendulkar Shows Better Temperament

• Kohli: 13 not-outs in 210 innings

• Tendulkar: 21 not-outs in 198 innings

This stat reflects Tendulkar’s superior temperament and his ability to bat deep into innings. Not-outs are often seen as an indicator of resilience and match-awareness, two qualities that defined Sachin’s batting ethos.

Conversion Rate: 50s to 100s

• Kohli: 30 hundreds from 61 scores above 50 → Conversion Rate ~49.1%

• Tendulkar: 34 hundreds from 75 scores above 50 → Conversion Rate ~45.3%

While Sachin scored more fifties and hundreds overall, Kohli edges ahead in terms of converting fifties into hundreds — a trait that had made him one of the most feared batsmen in his prime.

Century Timeline: Form Fluctuations Matter

A significant difference in their careers was form longevity.

• Kohli had a five-year stretch (2020–2025) where he struggled with form, scoring just three centuries.

• In contrast, Tendulkar had fewer prolonged dry spells, with most of his 51 Test hundreds spread relatively evenly across his career.

Had Kohli maintained his early-career form into the 2020s, many believe he could have surpassed or matched Sachin’s 100-century landmark across formats.

Captaincy Factor: A Weight on Kohli’s Batting?

Another key consideration is that Kohli captained India in 68 Tests, a role Tendulkar undertook briefly. Many believe the burden of leadership affected Kohli’s rhythm with the bat.

 Captaincy Stats:

• As Captain (Kohli): 68 Tests, 20 centuries, win percentage ~58%

• As Non-Captain (Kohli): 55 Tests, 10 centuries

While Kohli had a stellar captaincy record, especially overseas, critics argue that the added pressure may have impacted his personal numbers, particularly in his 30s.

Head-to-Head Summary Table

Legacy Beyond Numbers

Though numbers tell a big part of the story, cricketing legacy is also defined by influence, leadership, and cultural relevance. On that front:

 Tendulkar:

• Symbolized hope for a nation during the 90s

• Represented the ‘God of Cricket’ image

• Inspired a generation of cricketers, including Kohli

 Kohli:

• Transformed Indian fitness standards

• Redefined aggression and professionalism

• Played a key role in India’s overseas Test victories in Australia and South Africa

Public Sentiment: Who’s Greater?

The debate on who’s greater will likely never be settled, and perhaps, that’s the beauty of it. Tendulkar’s numbers and aura belong to a golden era of batting. Kohli’s fitness, aggression, and modern professionalism redefined India’s identity in world cricket.

Fans often sum it up best:

“Tendulkar gave us hope. Kohli gave us belief.”

Expert Opinions

Harsha Bhogle:

“Tendulkar’s greatness lies in longevity and consistency. Kohli deserves immense credit for redefining the modern-day Indian cricketer.”

Sunil Gavaskar:

“Sachin was technical excellence. Virat added intensity. Both ruled their eras, and that’s what matters.”

Kohli’s Final Word on Sachin

In multiple interviews, Kohli has never shied away from acknowledging his hero:

“For me, Sachin Tendulkar will always be the greatest. He inspired me to take up cricket. To be even mentioned alongside him is a huge honor.”

Virat Kohli’s Test career may not have eclipsed Sachin Tendulkar’s in terms of raw numbers, but his impact on the game — both on and off the field — is monumental. He may be behind in centuries and averages, but in spirit, inspiration, and legacy, Kohli has carved a unique place in Indian cricket.

As he walks into retirement, Kohli leaves behind a blueprint for future generations — one built on discipline, intensity, and relentless ambition.