Cricket
The Eternal Debate: Sachin Tendulkar vs. Virat Kohli – A Data-Driven Quest for India’s Ultimate ODI Batsman
Indian cricket fans relish debating the biggest topics. Invariably, discussions over ODI batting greatness has largely centred around Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar. They are undisputed batting titans, and they are famed for their exploits for their country.
Sachin Tendulkar speaks with Virat Kohli //Getty Images
Indian cricket fans relish debating the biggest topics. Invariably, discussions over ODI batting greatness has largely centred around Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar. They are undisputed batting titans, and they are famed for their exploits for their country.
Framed as the Master Blaster vs King Kohli debate, a huge generational shift has taken place. Dubbed the “God of Cricket”, Tendulkar built a career setting unprecedented benchmarks, including the most runs scored in ODIs and he played in more ODI World Cups than any of his peers. While Tendulkar laid down the gauntlet, Kohli, an incredible run machine in his own right, picked up the baton, keenly picking off records with consistency and flair.
But who is the best ODI batsman – Tendulkar or Kohli? SportsBoom has been meticulous with its approach to conducting a Kohli vs Tendulkar stats comparison. We’ve used an ‘SB Score’ based on key ODI batting statistics, such as runs and averages, and ‘Industry Insights’ reflecting expert and media consensus, bringing us to a final ‘SB Market Index’.
The ‘SB Market Index’ for our Indian cricket legends comparison is designed to provide a fair and accurate representation of the data. It has helped us make a more concerted conclusion over who edges this contest.
‘SB Market Index’ Calculation & Result
| Rank | Player | SB Score (Value) | SB (Weighted 20%) | Industry Insights (Value) | Industry (Weighted 80%) | SB Market Index |
| 1 | Virat Kohli | 0.93088 | 0.186176 | 6 | 4.8 | 4.986176 |
| 2 | Sachin Tendulkar | 0.89804 | 0.179608 | 5 | 4.0 | 4.179608 |
The Statistical Breakdown – The ‘SB Score’
Our ‘SB Score’ evaluates these ODI giants on three fundamental batting metrics: Batting Average, Total Runs Scored, and Number of Centuries.
Core ODI Batting Statistics
| Player | Mat | Inns | Runs | Ave | 100s |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 463 | 452 | 18426 | 44.83 | 49 |
| Virat Kohli | 302 | 290 | 14181 | 57.88 | 51 |
‘SB Score’ Methodology Explained
The ‘SB Score’ is weighted as follows, with raw stats normalized before weighting:
- Batting Average 40% (This is a prime indicator of consistency and efficiency per dismissal).
- Total Runs 30% (Assesses the overall volume of runs, and longevities of their careers).
- Number of 100s 30% (This refers to a player’s ability to score match-winning or significant innings).
‘SB Score’ Result
| Rank | Player | SB Score |
| 1 | Virat Kohli | 0.93088 |
| 2 | Sachin Tendulkar | 0.89804 |
Interpreting this ‘SB Score’
Based on our statistical model, Virat Kohli (SB Score: 0.93088) narrowly edges out Sachin Tendulkar (SB Score: 0.89804). Kohli’s significantly superior batting average (heavily weighted at 40%) and higher number of centuries give him the slight advantage here, despite Tendulkar’s monumental lead in total runs scored.
The Expert & Media View – ‘Industry Insights’
Beyond pure statistics, how do experts, cricket media, and former players often lean when comparing these two ODI behemoths?
| Player | Stumpsinfo “Best ODI Batsman” | SportsBoom Legend List | NDTV Sehwag Picks | ESPNcricinfo Analysis | Sportskeeda Top 10 | Wikipedia ODI Records | Total Mentions |
| Virat Kohli | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
‘Industry Insights’ Methodology Explained
This score reflects a consensus from surveyed expert opinions and media analysis, assigning points based on who is more frequently cited as the superior ODI batsman or ranked higher in all-time ODI lists when directly compared.
‘Industry Insights’ Scorecard
| Player | ‘Industry Insights’ Points |
| Virat Kohli | 6 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 5 |
Interpreting the ‘Industry Insights’
In terms of ‘Industry Insights,’ Virat Kohli (6 Points) also holds a slight edge over Sachin Tendulkar (5 Points) among the surveyed sources, suggesting a marginal preference in current expert and media consensus for Kohli’s overall ODI impact or standing.
The Combined Perspective – The ‘SB Market Index’
Fusing the Sachin Tendulkar vs Virat Kohli ODI statistical achievements with broader expert/media perception gives our final ‘SB Market Index’.
‘SB Market Index’ Methodology Explained
The scores for calculating the ‘SB Market Index’ were carried out as follows:
- ‘Industry Insights’ Score (80% Weightage)
- ‘SB Score’ (20% Weightage)
The ‘SB Market Index’ Verdict (Based on Final Model)
Our multi-layered analysis, culminating in the ‘SB Market Index’ which heavily weights ‘Industry Insights’ (80%) positions the Indian ODI cricket GOAT debate in Virat Kohli’s favor (SB Market Index: 4.986) ahead of Sachin Tendulkar (SB Market Index: 4.180) as the ultimate ODI batsman within this model’s parameters.
The Contenders: A Snapshot of ODI Immortals
Sachin Tendulkar: Sachin Tendulkar’s ODI records were the stuff of legend. His batting was based on the purest principles, revolving around balance and precise shot-making. For over two decades, Tendulkar consistently delivered and carried the hopes of a nation, underlining his longevity.
Virat Kohli: If there was an aura around Sachin Tendulkar, then Virat Kohli turned things up a notch. He developed a reputation of being a “Chase Master” guiding India seamlessly during successful run chases, and his excellent conversion rate of fifties to centuries can’t be understated.
Conclusion & Disclaimer
Virat Kohli’s top ranking in our final ‘SB Market Index’ is driven by the statistically-derived ‘SB Score’ reflecting his ODI centuries average and the ‘Industry Insights’ (expert consensus).
While Sachin Tendulkar’s monumental run tally and longevity are unparalleled, Kohli’s efficiency (average) and higher century count in fewer matches, combined with a slightly stronger expert backing in our simple, give Kohli the edge.
Both are ODI immortals that routinely entertained cricket fans. Who is the better ODI batsman – Sachin or Virat? The greatest is subjective and will always evoke passionate debate, and this model provides one structured viewpoint.
Disclaimer: This analysis uses verified career statistics and a specific weighted SB Score model, combined with surveyed ‘Industry Insights’. Different methodologies, weightings, or sources for Industry Insights could yield different conclusions. This is for illustrative and discussion purposes.
SportsBoom Suggests
The Tendulkar vs. Kohli ODI debate is iconic. While Tendulkar set enduring benchmarks, Kohli’s chase mastery and incredible consistency often make him a focal point in modern ODI cricket, especially for ‘Top Batsman’ and ‘Player to Score a Century’.
Charles Perrin is a highly experienced sports betting content writer with over six years of working with some of the leading sportsbooks in the UK, including bet365 and William Hill.