Second god of cricket – Virat Kohli shines with incomparable legacy

Legendary Indian batter Sachin Tendulkar was referred to as ‘God of Cricket’, given his unparalleled batting skills and records. The master Blaster was given the title by Australia’s great Mathew Hayden, saying, “If cricket is a religion, then Sachin is a god. Notably, he once again termed him as god when Tendulkar called his time in 2013, stating “I have seen god, he bats at No. 4 for India.”

In the present era, many claim Virat Kohli as the second god of cricket. Meanwhile, others believe current captain Rohit Sharma holds the title as the god of ODI cricket. It is worth noting that both have been delivering exceptional performances for the national side over many years.  

Why is Sachin Tendulkar termed the God of Cricket?

Sachin Tendulkar is one of the most iconic figures in cricket history. With an international career spanning over two decades, Tendulkar has set numerous records that define his enduring legacy. The Master Blaster is the first cricketer to score 100 centuries in international cricket and has accumulated over 34,000 runs across all formats of the game. Known for his impeccable techniques and unparalleled records made him an inspiration to many.

Here are some of Sachin Tendulkar’s most remarkable cricket records:

• First player to score 100 international centuries (51 in Tests, 49 in ODIs)
• Most runs in international cricket- 34357 runs (Tests- 1592, ODIs- 18426, T20Is- 10)
• Most fifties in international career- 264
• Most Man of the Match award- 664
• Most Test matches in career- 200
• Most nineties in career- 28 (Combined Test, ODI, and T20Is)
• Fastest 15000 runs in Test matches
• Fastest 18000 runs in ODIs

Who is the second god of cricket?

Virat Kohli, a huge admirer of Sachin Tendulkar, is often referred to as the 2nd god of cricket in the world, given his outstanding influence in the game. The former India captain was also drawn into comparisons with his idol, Tendulkar. He is known for his aggressive style of play, consistency in all formats, and record-breaking accomplishments over the years. 

The right-handed batter currently represents the national team only in ODIs and Tests. The 36-year-old announced his T20I retirement post India’s triumphant ICC T20 World Cup campaign in 2024. He is second in T20I, third in ODI, and fourth overall in international cricket in terms of runs. He also broke Tendulkar’s record of most centuries in ODI cricket during the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, achieving his 50th hundred. 

Kohli was also a member of the Indian team that won the ODI World Cup in 2011 and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013. Additionally, he had an exceptional captaincy career, leading India to win the ICC Test mace three times in a row– 2017, 2018, and 2019. 

Kohli has so far earned 10 ICC Awards– ICC ODI Player of the Year award in 2012, 2017, 2018, and 2023. In 2018, he became the first player to win both ICC ODI and Test Player of the Year awards in the same year. He was also honored with the Arjuna Award (2013), Padma Shri (2017), and Khel Ratna Awards (2018). His legacy, much like Tendulkar’s, continues to inspire future generations.

Here are some of Virat Kohli’s most remarkable cricket records:

• 1st- Most 100s against one team- 10
• 1st- Fastest to 1200 ODI runs
• 1st- Most runs in T20Is- 4188
• 1st- Most fifties in T20Is- 39
• 1st- Fastest to 13000 runs in ODIs
• 1st- Fastest to 35000 runs in T20Is
• 1st- Fastest to 12000 ODI runs in all formats
• 1st- Most Player of the Series awards in all formats- 21
• 2nd- Most Player of the Match awards in all formats- 67

Stats of Virat Kohli’s international career

Conclusion

Virat Kohli’s journey to being regarded as the second god of cricket is a tale of his resilience and unwavering dedication to the sport. The Delhi-born batter’s record has been making a huge impact in the game and will heavily influence the young cricketers all over the world. His legacy stands as a guiding light in cricket history which further solidifies his position as one of the most iconic figures of the game.