Based on their away numbers, former Indian opener Aakash Chopra thinks Virat Kohli is obviously better than Sachin Tendulkar in ODIs. After former South African captain AB de Villiers referred to Kohli as the superior Test batsman away from home, the Kohli-Tendulkar controversy has gained momentum in recent days.
Despite the fact that Tendulkar has far superior numbers than Kohli in Tests, this is not the case in ODIs. With 18,426 runs, Tendulkar continues to be the all-time top ODI scorer, followed by Kohli with 14,941 runs.
But the latter has an ODI average of 58.59, which is far higher than Tendulkar's 44.83. Additionally, Kohli's ODI away average of 55.68 is far higher than Tendulkar's 43.04.
"Overall, in SENA countries, Virat clearly has Sachin beat. When it comes to ODI cricket, there is no comparison. Even with any parameter and excuses like the difference in eras accounted for, there hasn't been a better ODI player than Virat Kohli. No one has understood ODI cricket better than Kohli. He has measured this format like a calculator and become the run machine, ton machine, and chase master. So, while Sachin has stolen the march between these two in Tests, in ODIs, it's clearly Virat Kohli,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
In Australia, New Zealand, and England, Kohli wins over Sachin by numbers in ODIs. Virat Kohli is just the ODI GOAT and the best to have played this format. And he is not slowing down and not stopping anytime soon. When it comes to South Africa, you have to hold your breath before seeing Kohli's numbers. He averages over 76 in ODIs in South Africa, when usually everyone else's numbers drop off there. Unfortunately, Sachin averages only 38 even in South Africa,” he added.
Tendulkar's average in SENA countries is 38.22, with an 82.42 strike rate in 135 matches. Kohli, on the other hand, has an astounding average of 54.67 and a strike rate of more than 90 in 101 matches in SENA countries.
Despite his belief that Virat Kohli is superior to Sachin Tendulkar, Aakash Chopra argues that a longer stint in the middle order works against Tendulkar. The former opener also mentioned that Tendulkar had to contend with reverse swing as a middle-order batsman early in his ODI career.
"It is important to remember that during Sachin's time, scores were much lower. He also started in the lower middle order when reverse swing was prevalent. Kohli also started lower in the order, but he climbed the ladder quickly, while it took Sachin longer. Because of that, Virat has a slight advantage, but even accounting for that, Kohli's numbers are absolutely outstanding," Chopra explained.
Tendulkar played his final ODI World Cup in India’s win in 2011, while Kohli had made his World Cup debut in the same tournament. Tendulkar retired from the game in 2013, while Kohli retired from T20Is in 2024 and Tests in 2025, while he continues to remain active in ODIs, in a bid to play in the 2027 World Cup.
