Opinion Tendulkar made centuries a celebration. Virat Kohli has normalised them

Unlike Tendulkar, who evolved so much as a batsman over 25 years, Kohli’s has been totally the opposite. Of course, he has matured a lot as a batsman, but his evolution lies in how successful he has remained without changing his game

virat kohli sachin tendulkar odi centuries

Virat Kohli drew level with Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar at 49 ODI centuries at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. (Express photo by Partha Paul)

Venkata Krishna B

November 17, 2023 09:32 AM IST First published on: Nov 5, 2023 at 10:07 PM IST

It was at the same Eden Gardens that Virat Kohli, upon reaching a fifty in a World T20 game against Pakistan in 2016, would bow down to Sachin Tendulkar. Five years after that iconic “it is time we carried him on shoulders” words, Kohli was still not finished with his tributes to the legend who made him take up the game. “I have seen Sachin paaji do that for India for years together and seen how people shout for him. I have gotten a chance to do it in front of him and he is celebrating. I cannot explain that feeling as a youngster who has grown up playing cricket because of him. To be able to do it in front of him and give him happiness; I am very grateful for it and it is a very emotional moment,” he would say.

And seven years later at another World Cup, and having spent the good part of the last decade playing down the comparison with the Little Master, Kohli is now standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Tendulkar. As he calmly guided a Kagiso Rabada to the covers for a single to bring up a century, it put him on level with the 49 centuries that Tendulkar had managed in 451 ODI innings. Kohli, one who took the mantle from Tendulkar, has got there in his 277th.

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Unlike Tendulkar, who evolved so much as a batsman over 25 years, Kohli’s has been totally the opposite. Of course, he has matured a lot as a batsman, but his evolution lies in how successful he has remained without changing his game. If it is ODIs, you know what Kohli’s blueprint is. From his maiden century at the Eden Gardens in 2009 to his latest one on Sunday, you know what Kohli’s blueprint is.

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You mention 134, 141, 143, 163*, 175, 186*, 200 to any cricket fan, they would recollect when and where and against which opposition Tendulkar made those centuries. But, mention 107, 118, 128*, 100* 123, 139*, 154*, 157*, 138 to any cricket aficionado, he would struggle to even utter against who Kohli made these centuries. Barring the 133*, 183, 160*, 129* others don’t stick in your mind. This isn’t a criticism of Kohli. In fact, it is more about how mechanical he turned the art of scoring centuries in ODIs. If Tendulkar made centuries a celebration itself, Kohli normalised them.

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For a generation that suffered many a heartbreaks in Tendulkar’s era, Kohli has ensured such instances are a thing of the past. There is a reason, why even before he matched Tendulkar’s tally, Kohli was regarded a GOAT. Unlike Tendulkar, especially after that hurricane innings in Hobart, Kohli turned into this mean machine, who showed the cutting edge, finishing off matches. Once he got his eyes in a chase, and target was locked, he seldom misfired.

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The unbeaten 101 against South Africa on Sunday too was straight out of Kohli’s template. No risks, but just simple, effective batsmanship that got the job done. Kohli’s batting may not be as thrilling as Tendulkar’s, but it has been the most effective, winning more matches than anyone else. 42 out of his 49 centuries have come in an Indian victory, while only 33 of Tendulkar’s ended up on the winning side. And then there is another significant number. Twenty-one of Kohli’s centuries have come away from home, which just shows how he has been an all-weather batsman.

When Tendulkar hung up his boots, it looked improbable that anyone would get close to his tally in ODIs. But, Kohli is set to go past it conveniently. If Tendulkar surpassed the benchmark set by Sunil Gavaskar, Kohli has done the same with the former. In a format which appears to be dying every passing year, this tally of Kohli looks set to last the time. With age by his side, Kohli will continue to stretch it, and the time has come to enjoy the ride.