Tendulkar vs Kohli vs Lara: Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and Virat Kohli are three of cricket’s greatest batters. Comparing their first 100 Test matches shows three different paths to greatness. All three scored heavily. But their averages, centuries and biggest scores were not the same.
Tendulkar’s figures are from after 99 Tests, just before his 100th match. He had played 159 innings and scored 8,351 runs. His average was 57.99. He had made 30 centuries and 33 fifties. His highest score was 217. At this stage, Tendulkar had the best average of the three. He also had the most centuries. His ability to turn good starts into big hundreds was already clear.
After exactly 100 Test matches, Brian Lara had played 175 innings and scored 8,916 runs with a batting average of 52.14. He had recorded 23 centuries and 42 half-centuries, with his highest individual score at that specific milestone being 375. When compared to Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting at the exact same 100-Test mark, Lara actually had the most runs and the highest individual score, whereas Tendulkar had the most centuries (30) and Ponting had the fewest runs of the three (7,975).
Kohli’s figures are also from after exactly 100 Tests. He had played 169 innings and scored 8,007 runs. His average was 50.35. He had made 27 centuries and 28 fifties. His highest score was 254 not out. Kohli had the lowest average and the fewest runs at this point. But his century count was still very high. He converted a large share of his good starts into hundreds.
Overall, Tendulkar had the strongest statistical record at this stage. He had the highest average and the most centuries. Lara had the most runs and the biggest score. Kohli had a slightly lower average but an excellent rate of turning innings into centuries. All three were already on the path to legendary careers.
Tendulkar vs Kohli vs Lara: Who is the GOAT?
There is no single answer to who is the GOAT among Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, and Virat Kohli. The three men represent different kinds of greatness, and the respect they have for each other shows why the debate is so special.
Tendulkar is the benchmark. Lara called him “the Muhammad Ali and the Michael Jordan of cricket” and said he had “the greatest cricket career of anyone who has ever played the game”. Kohli refuses to compare himself to Tendulkar. He said, “Sachin paaji is always going to be Sachin paaji.” Tendulkar’s honours include the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan, a World Cup win, and the record for most international runs and centuries. He is the only cricketer to receive India’s highest civilian award.
Lara is the peak performer. Tendulkar described his balance and footwork as “a God’s gift” and compared him to Michael Jackson. Lara holds the highest individual score in Test cricket, 400 not out, and the highest first-class score, 501 not out. He won two World Cups with West Indies. His honours include the Trinity Cross and an honorary membership of the Order of Australia. He was the first non-Australian cricketer to receive that honour.
Kohli is the modern master. Lara publicly urged him not to retire from Tests, writing, “Test cricket needs Virat!!” Tendulkar saw “that spark” in Kohli early and advised him to “never be satisfied”. Kohli holds the record for most ICC awards won by an individual, with ten. He has won the ICC Cricketer of the Year twice and the ODI Player of the Year four times. He is also a World Cup and Champions Trophy winner.
So who is the GOAT? The beauty of the debate is that all three answers can be defended. And the respect they show each other is as impressive as anything they did on the field.
FAQs
Q. Who scored the most runs in their first 100 Test matches?
A. Brian Lara scored 8,916 runs after exactly 100 Test matches.
Q. Who had the highest batting average among the three?
A. Sachin Tendulkar had the highest average at 57.99 after 99 Tests.
Q. Who scored the most centuries in the comparison?
A. Sachin Tendulkar had scored 30 centuries before his 100th Test.
Q. What was Virat Kohli’s highest score after 100 Test matches?
A. Kohli’s highest score at that stage was 254 not out.
Q. Who holds the highest individual score in Test cricket?
A. Brian Lara holds the record with 400 not out against England in 2004.
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