NEW DELHI: Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli are two of the greatest cricketers India has produced, and both have achieved legendary status in world cricket.
The debate about whether Sachin Tendulkar or Virat Kohli is better is complex, as both players have excelled in different eras, formats, and conditions.
Tendulkar excelled in both Tests and ODIs, carrying the hopes of the Indian team for decades.He played in an era of tough bowlers like Wasim Akram, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Allan Donald and Curtly Ambrose.
Kohli is known for his chasing abilities in ODIs, and his ability to handle pressure situations and has adapted well to the T20 format and modern aggressive cricket, making him a versatile player across formats.
In a video that is viral on the internet, late spin legend Shane Warne, who had many legendary duels with Tendulkar on the field, made his choice who he considered better.
Warne says in the video, “To me, comparisons between Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, is very nice for Virat. To me, there will only be one Sachin Tendulkar and I think back to those mid-90s the way he played against all teams, pace or spin, I just hate to imagine what Sir Don Bradman was like. I can’t think of anyone playing better than what Sachin did between 1994-98, those four-five years, be it Test cricket, one-day cricket, World Cups, all sorts of things in different conditions.”
Warne continues, “Watching him (Tendulkar) play, against all teams, against us, Australia probably the best team in the world then. I was just blown away by some of the shots at such a young age too. So the comparisons, I think Virat will be very flattered by the comparisons with one of the best players who ever played the game.”
While Sachin is revered as a cricketing god, Kohli’s era has seen him become a new-age icon, and his records suggest he could finish as one of the greatest ever.
Ultimately, both players are legends, and their greatness depends on what aspect of cricket is being measured. If you value records and longevity, Sachin stands tall. If you prefer modern-day dominance and versatility across formats, Kohli might take the edge.