India vs England in statistics: Virat Kohli emulates Sachin Tendulkar, unknowingly

Often Virat Kohli has been compared with batting legend Sachin Tendulkar. Many have criticised the idea saying it’s too early to compare the current India captain with the former India skipper while some were still stuck on their argument that they are indeed comparable. The fact that Kohli has been a run machine like Tendulkar is no parameter to gauge the Delhite’s greatness though.

Now, this Trentbridge Test which India won by a handsome margin of 203 runs on Tuesday did throw up some facts and figures which may surprise every cricket aficionado of the country and across the globe as well.

Let’s jot down six facts with figures to prove that Kohli is indeed on his way to greatness i.e maestro Tendulkar.

Both scored 103 off 197 balls

First and foremost, Kohli scored a scintillating 103 against England in the second essay at Nottingham. If we rewind the clock 17 years, it was Tendulkar who scored 103 against the same opponent in Ahmedabad in 2001. Not only that, balls consumed by the two run machines in different eras are also the same — 197. Isn’t it a great coincidence?

Both batted at No 4

Secondly, Tendulkar batted at No 4 in Ahmedabad’s Motera Stadium and so did Kohli at Trentbridge. The only difference is Tendulkar did it in India while the India skipper did it in England.

Both came to bat after openers fell

Tendulkar came in to bat after both the openers Shiv Sundar Das (41) and Deep Dasgupta (17) were back in the pavilion. Kohli also came to bat after the fall of Shikhar Dhawan (44) and KL Rahul (36) in Nottingham.

Partners scored fifties

Back in 2001, Tendulkar’s partner was another great VVS Laxman (75) who scored a half-century while Kohli was partnered by Cheteshwar Pujara who also achieved a fifty scoring 72.

Boundary to bring up 100

Kohli achieved the three-figure mark by hitting a boundary off fast bowler James Anderson past the wicket keeper. Tendulkar did the same 17 summers ago by hitting a boundary to English quick Matthew Hoggard.

Both at 29

The India skipper’s age is 29 years while Tendulkar was also 29 when he turned up against England in December 2001.

58^th international ton

Last but not the least, Kohli completed his 58^th international century yesterday while the at Motera was also Tendulkar’s 58^th international hundred.

It’s astonishing, isn’t it?