Sachin Tendulkar is the God of Cricket. That is not up for debate. But the conversation around the second title is very much alive.
One name keeps coming up: Virat Kohli. And when you look at the numbers, it is hard to argue otherwise.
Who Is The 2nd God Of Cricket In The World?
Quick Answer: Virat Kohli is widely considered the 2nd God of Cricket. He has broken multiple Sachin Tendulkar records, scored 50 ODI centuries, and averages over 58 in ODIs across a career spanning 15+ years.
Why Virat Kohli Holds This Title?
This is not just a fan debate. Kohli’s stats across formats put him in a category of his own among active players.
No one else in this generation comes close to matching his consistency across Test, ODI, and T20 cricket.
Here is a quick format-by-format look:
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Centuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 123 | 9,230+ | 48.7 | 29 |
| ODIs | 295+ | 14,000+ | 58.1 | 50 |
| T20Is | 125+ | 4,100+ | 52.7 | 1 |
No other batter in history averages over 50 across all three formats. That one fact alone separates Kohli from nearly everyone else.
The Records That Define His Legacy
- Fastest to 10,000 ODI Runs
Sachin Tendulkar took 259 innings to reach 10,000 ODI runs. Kohli did it in 205, becoming the fastest batter in history to hit the milestone.
He reached the mark with an unbeaten 157 against the West Indies in Visakhapatnam in October 2018.
- Fastest to 12,000 ODI Runs
He did not stop there. Kohli reached 12,000 ODI runs in 242 innings. Tendulkar needed 300. That is a 58-innings difference, a gap that tells you everything about Kohli’s scoring rate.
- 50th ODI Century: Breaking Sachin’s Record
On November 15, 2023, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Kohli scored 117 against New Zealand in the ODI World Cup semi-final.
It was his 50th ODI century, one more than Sachin’s 49. The fact that Tendulkar was sitting in the stands watching made the moment even more loaded.
- Fastest to 50 International Centuries
Kohli reached 50 international hundreds in 348 innings. Tendulkar needed 376. Kohli’s 18th Test century, scored at Eden Gardens against Sri Lanka, put him there.
- ICC ODI Batting Rating Record
In 2017, Kohli’s ICC ODI batting rating reached 889 points, the highest ever by an Indian batter. That surpassed both AB de Villiers and Tendulkar’s 1998 rating of 887.
Kohli at ICC World Cups
Big tournaments reveal character. Kohli has shown up every time.
| Tournament | Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | 100s / 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI World Cups | 37 | 37 | 1,795 | 59.83 | 5 / 12 |
| T20 World Cups | 25 | 25 | 1,141 | 81.50 | 0 / 14 |
His T20 World Cup average of 81.50 is the highest in the history of the tournament. In the 2023 ODI World Cup alone, he scored 711 runs, breaking Tendulkar’s previous tournament record of 673 runs from 2003.
How does he compare to Sachin Tendulkar?
This is not about ranking one above the other. It is about understanding how close Kohli has come to a player considered untouchable.
| Record | Sachin Tendulkar | Virat Kohli |
|---|---|---|
| International centuries | 100 | 80+ |
| ODI centuries | 49 | 50 |
| Fastest to 10,000 ODI runs | 259 innings | 205 innings |
| Fastest to 12,000 ODI runs | 300 innings | 242 innings |
| 2023 ODI WC record | 673 runs (2003) | 711 runs (2023) |
| ICC ODI peak rating | 887 (1998) | 889 (2017) |
Kohli has already broken several of Sachin’s records. The only mountain left is 100 international centuries.
Can Kohli Reach 100 International Centuries?
With 80+ international hundreds, he needs roughly 17-20 more. Age is a factor. Kohli is in his mid-30s.
However, his fitness level and current form suggest he still has a few years at the top.
No other active player is close to this number. If fitness holds, he remains the only realistic candidate.
Why the Title “2nd God of Cricket” Fits?
The word “God” in cricket is about more than stats. It is about how a player makes fans feel.
Kohli’s aggressive batting, emotional presence, and big-game performances have built a following that transcends cricket.
He is the kind of player fans plan their schedule around. They wake up early, stay up late, and cancel plans to watch him bat.
That kind of hold over an audience puts him in a very short list.
Sunil Gavaskar once said you need talent to become a good player, but you need Kohli’s attitude to become a great one.
Ricky Ponting said he had not seen a better white-ball cricketer ever. These are not small statements from small people.
Other Contenders: Why They Fall Short?
Some fans argue for players like Steve Smith, Joe Root, or Kane Williamson. They are all exceptional batters. But the comparison falls apart on a few key points:
| Player | ODI Average | ODI Centuries | T20I Average | Cultural Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 58.1 | 50 | 52.7 | Global |
| Steve Smith | 43.2 | 11 | 28.9 | Regional |
| Joe Root | 49.9 | 22 | 26.1 | Regional |
| Kane Williamson | 47.5 | 13 | 33.5 | Regional |
Kohli’s ODI average alone puts him in a different bracket. Add his T20I average and the number of centuries, and the gap only widens.
FAQs
- Q1. Who is the 2nd God of Cricket in the world?
Virat Kohli is widely considered the 2nd God of Cricket. His records, consistency across formats, and global fanbase separate him from every other player of his generation.
- Q2. Why is Kohli called the 2nd God of Cricket?
He has broken several Sachin Tendulkar records, including fastest to 10,000 ODI runs, most ODI centuries, and highest runs in a single ODI World Cup. His batting average in ODIs (58+) is among the best in history.
- Q3. How many international centuries does Kohli have?
Kohli has scored over 80 international centuries, including 50 in ODIs, 29 in Tests, and 1 in T20Is.
- Q4. Has Kohli broken Sachin Tendulkar’s records?
Yes. Kohli has surpassed Sachin’s records for fastest to 10,000 and 12,000 ODI runs, most ODI centuries, and highest runs in a single ODI World Cup campaign (711 vs 673).
- Q5. Can Virat Kohli score 100 international centuries like Sachin?
With 80+ centuries, he needs roughly 17-20 more. Age is a factor, but his fitness and current form keep him in the running. No other active player is close to this number.
- Q6. Who is the God of Cricket?
Sachin Tendulkar is universally called the God of Cricket. Virat Kohli is considered the 2nd God, based on his career records and influence on the modern game.
Conclusion
Sachin Tendulkar is the God of Cricket. Virat Kohli is the 2nd God of Cricket. The records support it, the stats back it, and the impact confirms it.
He has not just matched Tendulkar’s legacy in numbers. He has broken several of his records along the way. The debate around this title is largely settled.
Also Check:
About the Author
