Anticipation built in respect to Kohli’s tough ODI records, and together with fellow ex-England captain Hussain, Michael Atherton believed that in all likelihood Kohli is probably the best batsman in the history of the format. Kohli scored an unbeaten 100 off a masterclass innings, his 51st ODI century, to steer India to a comfortable six-wicket win over its arch-rivals Pakistan in the Champions Trophy match in Dubai on Sunday.”In a run-chase in 50-over cricket, I don’t think there’s been anybody better throughout the history of the game, really. 51 centuries is an unbelievable number,” said Atherton, who captained England in 54 Tests, in ‘Sky Sports Cricket Podcast’.
On his way to the century during his 299th 50-over appearance, Kohli became the fastest batsman to reach 14,000 runs in ODIs in an elite club alongside Sachin Tendulkar (18,426 runs in 452 innings) and Kumar Sangakkara (14,234 runs in 380 innings).
“Well, he’s got 51 and he’s passed 14,000 runs. Which only Tendulkar and Sangakkara have managed in one-day cricket,” Atherton continued.
“And he got them in 60-odd innings quicker than Sachin and I think about 90-odd innings quicker than Kumar.
“So, I mean, ODI is probably Kohli’s best format. You know, he has been a great all-format player for sure, but you’d probably say that ODI is the absolute best format for him.” Echoing similar sentiments, Hussain remarked, “He has been an incredible player. Yeah, and you’d have to say probably the best player in ODIs of all time really, with those numbers you mentioned.
“You’d have Tendulkar in the same conversation. Kumar, you’d have AB de Villiers. There have been some great ones, but he’s right at the top of the tree.”
