Virat Kohli : I don’t intend to match up the numbers Sachin has produced for India

BySaketh RVK, SportsCafe Editor

07/11/2016

India Test Captain Virat Kohli has spoken up about the comparisons frequently drawn between him and legendary batsmen Sachin Tendulkar and said that it is humanly impossible to match his legacy. Kohli has racked up amazing numbers himself, but said there is no point comparing the both.

Virat Kohli has been performing exceptionally well for the Indian team and his IPL team, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and this has inevitably led to comparisons with Sachin Tendulkar, the highest run-getter in the world. He has been touted as the successor to the Mumbaikar, and most experts have also suggested that he might go on to break Sachin’s records. The Delhi batsmen himself though, has downplayed the expectations saying, “I don't intend to match up to the numbers that he has produced for India because it is humanly impossible to that you will be able to play that long period because he started at 16 firstly and then to be so consistent, you cannot guarantee that.”

Also read - Statistics and Records | Virat Kohli's phenomenal 2016

The RCB skipper pleaded not to be compared with his idol, who scored more than 15,000 runs in his illustrious Test career. “I don't see why people compare me with him because the way he played his cricket and the way he inspired people, I don't think anyone else has been able to inspire people like that. Where he is, I think all the comparison should start leaving him aside. Even if people want to compare, he should be left apart, it should start from under him,” Kohli told International Cricket Council (ICC) in a recent interview.

Virat Kohli has scored nearly 3,000 runs in Tests since his debut in 2011 against the West Indies. He is now leading a young Indian team in a four-Test tour against the same opposition, with the first Test starting July 21st.

Also read - Sachin v Kohli - The end to the endless debate on who is the greater of the two