Sachin Tendulkar amassed 15,921 Test runs, averaging 53.78, before he retired at 40.
But barring long-term illness or injury, Virat Kohli is on track with 5754 runs at 54.28.
The first of the indicators are the world rankings, where 900 points is rated ‘Bradmanesque’ – The Don still holding the record high of 961 points.
Tendulkar never reached that dizzy height, with 898 his ceiling, but Kohli and Steve Smith have both well passed the 900 mark.
Smith hasn’t played since March, when he copped a 12-month suspension for ball tampering, but even to this day he’s on 929 points as world number two.
Since Smith’s suspension, Kohli has been on a spree, accumulating 1257 Test runs at 83.8, with six tons and three half-centuries.
This included his 149 and 51 at Edgbaston against England, in the home country’s 1000th Test, out-scoring Jonny Bairstow’s 70 and 28, and Joe Root’s 80 and 14.
But England won by 31 runs in an absorbing match.
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Kohli’s rocketed from 903 ranking points, and second to Smith, to stand alone on 934 points as the undisputed world number one.
Time will tell how much the year-long holiday will damage Smith’s career stats, but Kohi is in full flight.
To give a more accurate indication of how well he’s chasing compatriot Tendulkar, let’s make it a level playing field by comparing the 29-year-old’s career 114 visits to the crease, to Tendulkar’s first 114 digs.
Runs – Tendulkar 5734, Kohli 5754
Not outs – Tendulkar 12, Kohli 8
Average – Tendulkar 56.21, Kohli 54.28
Test centuries – Tendulkar 22, Kohli 22
Highest score – Tendulkar 248*, Kohli 243
Half-centuries – Tendulkar 22, Kohli 17
Ducks – Tendulkar 8, Kohli 6
Nothing in it.
Longevity and consistency are mighty tough asks, yet Tendulkar proved it can be done.
It’s all in front of Kohli, but his prospects are bright.
Tendulkar’s other major benchmark is he’s the only batsman to score 100 international centuries, with 51 in Tests and 49 in ODIs. But Kohli’s on track, with 22 and 35.
Whatever happens, both Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli have given cricket-lovers around the world many hours of quality entertainment, and opposition bowlers as many hours of grief.
Vasu
Guest
Hi David While comparing Kohli's record to Tendulkar (114 test innings) it must be kept in mind that Tendulkar was probably around 26 years of age at that stage in his career whereas Kohli is a few months shy of 30. Age will surely become a factor after 30 and even if the back end of Virat's career is as productive as the first half he could end up with around 12000 or so runs from 130 odd tests by the time he is 35. So I don't forsee Virat overtaking Sachin but yes, someone like Joe Root has a greater chance.
JimmyB
Guest
Err, no they haven’t.
JimmyB
Guest
James it always pays to hear both sides of the story, we are hearing the prosecution side at the moment and will hear the defence in due course. My understanding is that the ‘gay guys’ will be defence witnesses. Regardless of the outcome, it’s a very unsavoury incident, however as I said it does pay to wait until both sides have had their say and a judgement has been passed before one starts lobbing boulders. What about that Gaff? ;)
Dan
Roar Rookie
Hi David, Thanks for replying! As I posted above I have my doubts and when I read it initially it seemed like a bridge too far - but with sound reasoning from Chris (above) and yourself I could see it potentially happening. Like you say, Kohli is capable of giving it a helluva shake and we will be the lucky onlookers soaking it all in... Gun to head I'd still back the Little Master though :P Great piece, again, thanks for responding.
Arwin
Guest
Since his suspension, Smith has missed just 1 test match, that too against the mighty South Africans at their home where he wasn't doing particularly well. Kohli has also missed one test match against Afghanistan in India where all Indian top order batsmen feasted. Hence its safe to assume Kohli would have been number 1 regardless of Smith's suspension. He's not scoring easy runs btw. I think we need to stop qualifying Kohli's achievement by saying he's the best "With Steve Smith still on suspension".
David Lord
Expert
Harvey, I would have agreed with you two years ago, but in recent months Virat Kohli has streaked ahead. In the time Kohli's scored 1257 at 83.80 with six tons, Root has batted five times less for only 353 runs at 39.22, and hasn't scored a Test ton in his last 21 digs over 12 months.
David Lord
Expert
Yes Dan, that's exactly what I'm suggesting. With Steve Smith still on suspension, Virat Kohli is by far the best Test batsman on the planet, and he's become more prolific and consistent in his last five months with 1257 runs at 83.80 with six tons, and three half-centuries. As I further suggested Dan, providing he has no long-term injuries, or illness, Kohli will be very capable of giving his compatriot one helluva shake. I'd be saying the same if Steve Smith wasn't on suspension.
jameswm
Roar Guru
How is Stokes supposed to refute what the bouncer said? Stokes was off his tree.
Nick
Roar Guru
yeah - but remember the defence is yet to present their version of events. It's not a show trial.
Junior Coach
Guest
Cook has only averaged 35.5 Since the 3rd Test vs PAkistan in Birmingham and that is propped up by the two double tons he made. He aint goint to make it.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
I'd had some sort of discussion around that sort of thing when talking about Bob Simpson's return at the height of WSC. He played a series against India and did well. Likely the opposition helped in that, as playing spin as a 40yo is likely easier than playing extreme pace.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Cook is still in with a chance. He is only 33, so could easily play another 3-4 years, and with England playing so many tests and only 3000 runs needed, it's definitely possible. Even though he's definitely been in decline, England's inability to find anyone good enough to hang around with him, let alone replace him, could well extend his career past where he might otherwise have considered retirement.
Dan
Roar Rookie
That's a really good point Chris... Maybe it's not as far fetched as I had originally thought. Time will tell!
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
I do wonder if playing for India helps that. I think the reflex thing as you age is nore noticeable against high pace than spin. So playing at home in conditions that mean 90% of the overs are bowled by spinners could help as a player gets older (assuming they are a good player of spin, but then someone for whom that is home conditions would be expected to be).
Paul
Roar Guru
Kohli will be 30 in November and assuming he plays till he's 40, needs to score close to 11000 runs over the next 10 years at a time in a batsman's life when the reflexes and footwork tend to get slower. He's a chance for sure, but it's a huge ask.
Dan
Roar Rookie
Hi Harvey, Yes, this is my main concern. I'm a firm believer that as age catches up with you, your reflexes are dulled. Tendulkar was a once in a generation type player - not taking anything away from Kohli or his magnificent career to date, but I would have thought that at the same stage of 114 innings Kohli would need to be a fair way ahead of Tendulkar's stats to catch him at the end if the decline happens like I suspect it will. Still, 2 amazing cricketers which have provided many memorable (and some not so memorable) moments. Long may it continue.
Paul
Roar Guru
Root needs to make a bucket load of hundreds to have any chance of getting near these guys. Getting out after making a great 50 won't cut it.
Paul
Roar Guru
yeah, saw that last night about Stokes. I'm not sure he can show remorse to the guys he bashed, as his story is, he came to the defence of the gay couple. If he wasn't an English cricketer, he'd be in a peck of trouble. As it stands, it doesn't look good for him at all.
BrainsTrust
Guest
The advantage Tendulkar had going for him is India were weak in batting when he was young so he started so early. I can;t see anyone matching the number of years he played for in the future. Kohli on the other hand started in an era where batting was the big strength. India are they playing that many test matches. England with their big contender Cook has 157 matches in 2006-2018. Joe Root has 70 matches 2012-2018 . Kohli has 57 matches 2011-2018 The odds are in the favour of Cook and Root of challenging Tendulkar due to England playing more test matches.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
It is a long way off. Sachin had a 25 year career. If Kohli does play till 40, his career will only be 19 years long. Will need a lot of 1000+ years. He does seem to just be getting better and better, but it will be tough. Joe Root is a better chance if he plays till 40, he is currently 27.