Sourav Ganguly believes Virat Kohli is now on par with Sachin Tendulkar in ODIs

Sudhir Gupta 13:16 25/10/2018
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • The 'master' and the 'apprentice'.

    Virat Kohli might still have some way to go before catching up with Sachin Tendulkar’s run-haul and centuries but Sourav Ganguly believes that the India skipper is now on par with the legendary former batsman when it comes to ODI cricket.

    Kohli broke Tendulkar’s record to become the fastest batsman in history to register 10,000 runs in the format when he slammed an unbeaten 157 in the tied second ODI against the West Indies on Wednesday.

    Former India skipper Ganguly was at a ‘loss of words’ when it came to describing Kohli’s performance in what was his 37th ODI ton.

    “I am at a loss of words to describe Virat Kohli’s performance. The wicket was different, conditions were different, but he changed the entire game. It was a fantastic knock. I don’t have enough words,” Ganguly told IndiaTV.

    “I have closely seen Sachin Tendulkar play and he has scored 49 ODI hundreds and 100 tons overall but this man is no less than anybody. Kohli has now scored 37 ODI hundreds and he is not too far behind Tendulkar’s record. It is important to see that Kohli can play in all conditions and to change the game in all conditions. He carries the entire team on his shoulders,” he added.

    Classy innings from the India skipper. Image - BCCI/Twitter.

    Classy innings from the India skipper. Image – BCCI/Twitter.

    Kohli has enjoyed a prolific 2018 with the bat in ODIs as he brought up a 1,000 calendar runs in just 11 innings on Wednesday at a whopping average of nearly 150. The right-hander has now scored five centuries and three fifties in the format this year alone.

    Ganguly was left in no doubt that the 29-year-old is now on the same footing as all-time great Tendulkar.

    “He (Kohli) is a master. There’s no doubt now that Kohli is on par with Sachin Tendulkar in ODI cricket. I will not compare Kohli with Tendulkar… both are very big players,” he said.

    “However, Kohli has certainly taken this generation of cricket to a different level. His consistency and intensity is remarkable. There’s no stopping him. Whenever he comes on to the field, it feels as if it’s his first time.”

    Recommended