Former India captain and Royal Challengers Bangalore batsman Virat Kohli on Wednesday named two batsmen whom he considers the ‘greatest of all time’. Virat also said that these two batsmen completely changed the dynamics of cricket. In a way, Virat Kohli also considers these two batsmen as his ideals.
In a podcast video of RCB, Virat Kohli said, “I have always taken two names, Sachin Tendulkar and Sir Viv Richards, who are the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) of cricket. Sachin is my hero. Both of them batted in their generation. They have revolutionized cricket and changed the dynamic of cricket completely. So I think they are two of the greatest.”
The figures of both Sachin Tendulkar and Viv Richards justify Virat’s words. In 664 international matches, Sachin has scored 34357 runs at an average of 48.52, including 100 centuries and 164 half-centuries. At the same time, Viv Richards was considered one of the most dangerous batsmen of his time. He was part of the West Indies team that won the 1975 and 1979 Cricket World Cups.
He scored 8540 runs in 121 Tests at an average of 50.23 with 24 centuries and 45 half-centuries. He scored 6721 runs in 187 ODIs at an average of 47, including 11 centuries and 45 half-centuries. Sachin is the only batsman in the world who has played 200 test matches. Scored more than 100 centuries in international cricket and is still the highest run-scorer.