Player Profile

Comparison with Sachin Tendulkar

Kohli's batting style and approach to the game are often compared to Sachin Tendulkar, whom he regards as the epitome of excellence in cricket. Often referred to as Tendulkar’s successor, Kohli is widely considered a strong candidate to surpass many of his records. Kohli has stated that he tried to emulate Tendulkar’s batting style, imitated his shots, and even attempted to hit sixes in the same manner.

His aggressive and dynamic style has earned praise from cricketing greats like Vivian Richards, who acknowledged similarities between Kohli's style and his own. Former Australian cricketer Dean Jones hailed him as "the new king of world cricket." Kohli’s skill with the bat has also drawn admiration from West Indies legend Brian Lara, who ranked him among the best batsmen in the world.

Tendulkar has stated that Kohli has the potential to surpass his record of 100 international centuries. He has acknowledged Kohli’s batting prowess and his relentless consistency in scoring runs. In 2013, Tendulkar retired from international cricket, marking the end of an era in Indian cricket. Kohli played alongside Tendulkar during his final days in the national team.

In 2024, Kohli became the fastest player to reach 27,000 runs in international cricket. During a Test match against Bangladesh at Green Park Stadium, he achieved the feat in 594 innings, surpassing Tendulkar’s record of 623 innings. Kohli now joins the elite list of players—alongside Ricky Ponting and Kumar Sangakkara—who have crossed this milestone in international cricket.

Playing Style

Kohli possesses technical finesse and a dynamic approach to the game. In ODI cricket, he traditionally bats at the number three position, with a slightly open-chested stance and a grip at the bottom of the bat handle. He is known for his sharp footwork, wide range of strokes, and his ability to construct innings masterfully under high-pressure situations. Rather than going for big hits, Kohli prefers playing grounded shots. He is particularly praised for his wristy shots and consistent effectiveness in the mid-wicket and cover regions.

Kohli has often expressed admiration for the cover drive, which he considers his signature stroke. He also employs the flick shot, especially against deliveries targeting the leg stump. With limited use of the sweep shot, his batting strategy emphasizes grounded shots that yield runs primarily between deep square leg and mid-on. He scores runs between long-off and long-on using a straight bat. His bat speed and wrist movement allow him to create innovative angles, disrupting conventional field placements. Kohli is also an extremely skilled fielder.

However, he has a known weakness against deliveries wide of the off-stump. Bowlers frequently target this vulnerability, especially in Test and ODI matches. Cricket experts such as VVS Laxman and former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar have acknowledged this flaw, and former New Zealand cricketer Richard Hadlee has also noted Kohli’s susceptibility to outswing deliveries.

Kohli is renowned as a limited-overs batsman. In ODIs, he averages 65.5 while chasing and 51.7 when batting first. Of his 51 ODI centuries, 28 have come during run chases, making him the record-holder for the most centuries while batting second. Kohli often expresses a fondness for the challenge of chasing targets, relishing the opportunity to test himself while showcasing his ability to rotate strike and hit boundaries. His teammates admire his self-belief, discipline, focus, and work ethic—all of which are seen as the driving forces behind his success.

Aggression

Kohli's style of play is aggressive—a trait that extends into his leadership on the field. His captaincy is characterized by active decision-making and leading by example. In the early stages of his career, Kohli was subject to much media scrutiny and criticism. He was often portrayed as brash and arrogant, which elicited mixed reactions. While some praised his determination and confidence, others criticized his behavior for crossing the boundaries of fair play and losing control at times, leading to lapses in composure.

Kohli has consistently maintained that his aggression serves as a source of motivation and fuels his focus and inspiration on the field, rather than being a distraction. Unlike some former Indian cricketers, Kohli displayed a strong sense of self-belief and "toughness," which he felt was often lacking due to an overemphasis on politeness and restraint. He has embodied his combative spirit both on and off the cricket field.

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