Virat Kohli vs Sachin Tendulkar: Records Already Broken, Records That May Never Be Touched

The debate continues: Virat Kohli or Sachin Tendulkar? Comparing these two legends is a complex task, spanning different eras and cricketing contexts. While Sachin Tendulkar has retired from all formats of cricket in 2013, Virat Kohli continues to redefine batting milestones. As of today, December 1, 2025, Kohli has broken several of Tendulkar's records, particularly in One Day Internationals (ODIs). However, Tendulkar still holds a mountain of records that may remain untouched.

Records Already Broken by Kohli

Virat Kohli has established himself as a dominant force in ODIs, breaking several of Sachin Tendulkar's long-standing records. Most notably, Kohli now holds the record for the most ODI centuries. On November 30, 2025, Kohli surpassed Tendulkar's previous record of 51 centuries in a single international format by scoring his 52nd ODI century against South Africa in Ranchi. Tendulkar had 49 ODI centuries. This achievement solidified Kohli's position as the batter with the most hundreds in the 50-over format.

Beyond the sheer number of centuries, Kohli has also surpassed Tendulkar in high-pressure situations. He holds the record for the most ODI centuries in successful chases, highlighting his ability to perform under pressure. Kohli also has the most runs and 50+ scores in successful ODI chases and has surpassed Tendulkar in 50+ scores in ODIs at home.

Kohli has also consistently broken Tendulkar's records in terms of speed. He was the fastest to reach 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 11,000, 12,000, 13,000 and 14,000 ODI runs, surpassing the tempo set by Tendulkar. During the 2023 World Cup, Kohli amassed 765 runs, exceeding Tendulkar's 673 runs in the 2003 edition.

Records That May Never Be Touched

Despite Kohli's dominance in certain areas, Sachin Tendulkar's records in overall runs and longevity appear secure. Tendulkar has played 664 international matches and scored 34,357 runs, a record that seems insurmountable. Ricky Ponting is second with 27,483 runs.

Here’s a glance at some of Sachin Tendulkar's records: * Most International Runs: Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most runs in international cricket, with 34,357 runs in 664 matches. * Most Test Runs: Tendulkar has scored the most runs in Test cricket, with 15,921 runs. * Most Test Centuries: Tendulkar has 51 Test centuries. * Most ODI Runs: Sachin's run-tally in ODIs is 18,426 – the most by any player. * 100 International Centuries: Sachin has scored 100 centuries in international cricket. * Most matches: Sachin has played the most number of Test matches (200) and ODI matches (463).

Conclusion

Virat Kohli has undeniably broken several significant records held by Sachin Tendulkar, especially in ODIs, showcasing his dominance in the format. His accomplishments in terms of centuries, high-pressure performance, and speed records are remarkable. However, Sachin Tendulkar's records in overall runs, Test cricket, and longevity represent a monumental challenge that may remain unconquered.

Ultimately, comparing these two legends involves appreciating their unique contributions to cricket across different eras. While Kohli has redefined possibilities in ODIs, Tendulkar's records across all formats stand as a testament to his enduring legacy.