3 areas in ODI cricket where Virat Kohli has already surpassed Sachin Tendulkar

#1 Centuries in a winning cause

Sachin Tendulkar

Scoring a century in a winning cause underlines the ability of a batsman to absorb pressure and provide answers to whatever the opposition hurls at him.

Out of the 49 hundreds that Tendulkar scored in ODI cricket, only 33 resulted in a win, which translates to a percentage of 67.34. Many of Tendulkar's famous three-figure knocks could not help his side win.

He scored a magnificent 175 against Australia in 2009 but fell in the 48th over, and India lost the match by 3 runs. He scored a magical 141 against Pakistan in 2004, but Pakistan went on to win the match by 12 runs.

There were many occasions through his career where Tendulkar could not see India through to the finish line.

On the other hand, Kohli has scored 43 hundreds in ODIs, and 35 of those have resulted in a victory - which translates to a percentage of 81.39. Kohli has more often than not been around till the very end and seen India through, unlike Tendulkar.

Kohli 133* against Sri Lanka at Hobart is considered one of the greatest innings ever played in a run chase. He stayed till the end, and that enabled India to chase down a target of 321 runs in just 36.2 overs.

Kohli's splendid 183* against Pakistan in the Asia Cup allowed India to chase down a daunting target of 330 runs.

Kohli had the final 'killer punch' that Tendulkar lacked, and therein lies the main difference between the two.

Centuries in a winning cause

Tendulkar: Innings - 452; Runs - 18426; Average - 44.83; 100s - 49; 100s in a win - 33

Kohli: Innings - 230; Runs - 11520; Average - 60.31; 100s - 43; 100s in a win - 35

Note: All statistics are updated as on 22 October 2019.