
Kohli and Tendulkar: A Different Kind of Rivalry
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Virat Kohli is set to play his 300th One-Day International for India during the Champions Trophy. He has already amassed an impressive total of 14,085 runs at an average of 58.20, including an extraordinary 51 centuries and a strike rate of 93.41.
Interestingly, only 5.5% of his ODI runs have been scored against Pakistan, yet those runs have made a significant impact.
Kohli's most recent performance against his favored bowling attack took place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday night. Despite the pitch being described as challenging, he navigated it with remarkable skill, showcasing his prowess in chasing targets. Nearly a year and a half after achieving his 50th century in the World Cup semifinal against New Zealand in Mumbai in November 2023, the 36-year-old added yet another impressive century to his illustrious career.
His unbeaten 100 was notable for the effortless manner in which he accumulated runs. While it was not a century characterized by an abundance of boundaries due to the pitch conditions and a heavy outfield, Kohli still displayed his signature style with a series of elegant strokes. His off-drives and cover-drives exemplified his peak form, complemented by a few aggressive pulls that demonstrated both his intelligence and control in executing high-risk shots.
Despite facing recent challenges, Kohli remains a formidable force, now holding 82 international centuries. Although he is 18 centuries away from equaling the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, the pursuit of that milestone may seem daunting. However, Kohli's focus is not on surpassing Tendulkar; rather, he is striving to reclaim the form that once dominated the cricketing landscape for five years, a version of himself that has understandably evolved over time.
Kohli's performances against Pakistan evoke a sense of timelessness, as if he has the ability to suspend time itself.
In matches against India’s fiercest rivals, Kohli boasts an impressive average of 59.84 across 17 ODIs, with a strike rate of 98.85, both of which surpass his overall career statistics. However, when examining his contributions in victorious matches, the dimensions of his greatness become even more pronounced. In 11 ODI victories against Pakistan, Kohli has scored 742 runs, including a remarkable high score of 183 among his four centuries. His average in these matches is an extraordinary 106, complemented by a strike rate of 102.77. It is no surprise that Pakistan holds him in high regard, perhaps even to the point of exasperation, preferring to concede runs rather than witness his relentless pursuit of excellence, which seamlessly blends flair with authority.
Kohli's prowess extends beyond ODIs; his T20I statistics further illustrate his status as a formidable limited-overs batsman. In 11 T20 matches, he has accumulated 492 runs, averaging 70.28 with a strike rate of 123.92. Of these, eight victories have seen him score 366 runs at an average of 91.50 and a strike rate of 124.91. These figures, while impressive, fail to capture the elegance, control, and artistry he exhibits against high-quality pace attacks, which often leave them in disarray. Moreover, they do not account for the psychological impact of his performances on his teammates, as well as on Pakistani players and fans alike.
It is important to note that Kohli does not exhibit a heightened focus against Pakistan compared to other opponents. This characteristic is inherent to his nature, as it is for any true champion athlete. He does not exert extra effort solely to achieve success against Pakistan; if there were a secret to his success, it would be universally applicable.
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