I will never compare eras’: India’s World Cup-Winning Batter Denies Virat Kohli vs Sachin Tendulkar Comparisons

Sunil Gavaskar Refuses to Compare Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar’s Generations

• Gavaskar’s Stance on Comparisons:
  During the Dressing Room show, former Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar firmly stated that he would never compare players from different generations, specifically Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. He pointed out the challenges posed by different playing conditions, pitches, and opposition over time, making such comparisons difficult.
• A subcontinental weakness:
  Gavaskar labeled the tendency to compare players as a “weakness” that is prevalent in the subcontinent. He emphasized that this kind of analysis is unique to the region, with fans often engaging in comparisons between great players from different eras.
• Playing Conditions Vary by Era:
  Reflecting on the differences between generations, Gavaskar said, “Playing conditions are different, the pitches are different, and the opposition is different. So it is very difficult to compare people.” He highlighted the uniqueness of each era and the evolving nature of international cricket.
• Example of Comparisons in Other Countries:
  Gavaskar pointed out that fans in other cricketing nations don’t engage in similar comparisons. For instance, he questioned, “Have you ever seen anybody asking, ‘Is Ricky Ponting a better player than Gregg Chappell?’… Nobody.” He stressed the importance of accepting players in their own right rather than comparing them.
• Virat Kohli’s Milestone:
  Virat Kohli recently scored an unbeaten century against Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, bringing his total of ODI centuries to 51. Kohli had previously broken Tendulkar’s record for most ODI centuries, surpassing the milestone with 117 runs in the 2023 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand.
• Tendulkar’s Remarkable Record:
  Tendulkar, the iconic former cricketer, scored 49 centuries in ODIs and 51 in Tests, amassing a career total of 34,357 runs across all formats, including 100 international centuries.
• Kohli’s Impressive Career Stats:
  Kohli has accumulated 82 international hundreds (51 in ODIs, 30 in Tests, and 1 in T20Is) and 27,503 runs across formats in his 17-year career so far.
• Upcoming India vs. New Zealand Clash:
  Kohli is part of the Indian squad for the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy, with India set to face New Zealand in their final group-stage match on March 2. Both teams have already secured their spots in the semi-finals, and the match will determine the Net Run Rate (NRR) ahead of the knockout stages.