R Ashwin Explains Why Sachin Tendulkar Still Leads Virat Kohli In Cricket’s Greatest Debate

Former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has weighed in on the long-running comparison between Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, saying Tendulkar remains ahead for now while acknowledging that Kohli could reach the same level if he matches the legendary batter’s record of 100 international centuries. Ashwin’s comments came after Kohli’s latest milestone against the West Indies reignited the debate over the two Indian batting greats. Kohli struck an unbeaten 139 in the first ODI in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27, taking his international century tally to 86.

Kohli’s century was his 55th in ODI cricket and his 86th international hundred overall, leaving him 14 centuries short of Tendulkar’s world record of 100 international centuries. The knock also helped Kohli reach another major milestone, as he became only the second batter after Tendulkar to score 15,000 runs in ODI cricket. Kohli reached the landmark faster than Tendulkar, doing so in 303 innings compared with Tendulkar’s 377, further adding to the statistical comparisons between the two generations of Indian cricket.

Ashwin, however, said comparing players from different eras is difficult because the conditions in which they played were not identical. He pointed to differences in ODI cricket during Tendulkar’s career, including the use of different equipment and match conditions, while also noting the broader circumstances surrounding Tendulkar’s career. Ashwin said he would continue to place Tendulkar ahead when asked to compare the two, while stressing that Kohli would have been a highly successful batter in any generation.

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The former India spinner nevertheless identified a specific achievement that could change his assessment. Ashwin said that if Kohli reaches Tendulkar’s mark of 100 international centuries, he would consider the two players to be on the same level in terms of greatness. Kohli currently has 86 international centuries, meaning he needs another 14 to equal Tendulkar’s record. Ashwin described reaching the milestone as a remarkable achievement and said he would have no hesitation in considering Kohli equal to Tendulkar if he manages to complete the feat.

The debate has intensified as Kohli continues to close the gap on Tendulkar’s international century record. Tendulkar remains the only batter to have reached 100 international hundreds, a milestone he achieved in 2012. Kohli’s latest century also came during a significant innings for India, as he remained unbeaten on 139 off 88 balls while helping the team chase down West Indies’ target of 296 in the first ODI. India won the match by eight wickets, with Kohli and Shubman Gill both scoring centuries.

Kohli is set to continue the three-match ODI series against the West Indies, with the second match scheduled in Guwahati on September 30. His current tally of 86 international centuries means the pursuit of Tendulkar’s record remains a significant statistical storyline in his career. Ashwin’s assessment adds another dimension to the discussion, with the former India cricketer making clear that, for him, matching the 100-century mark would be the achievement that puts Kohli and Tendulkar on equal footing.

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