India vs England 1st Test Edgbaston: THIS Stat Proves India Are More Dependent on Virat Kohli Than They Were on Sachin Tendulkar

In six out of 67 Tests, Virat Kohli has been India's top-scorer in both the innings (incl. incomplete innings). Sachin Tendulkar also had six such instances in his career of 200 Tests. Clearly, India is more dependent on Kohli now than they used to be on Tendulkar.

Both are legends, but who is greater? Sachin Tendulkar or Virat Kohli?

It is unfair to make comparisons as both the cricketers played in different era’s and their contribution cannot be gauged. But it seems this stat puts a lid on the greatest debate for the moment. In six out of 67 Tests, Virat Kohli has been India’s top-scorer in both the innings (incl. incomplete innings). Sachin Tendulkar also had six such instances in his career of 200 Tests. Clearly, India is more dependent on Kohli now than they used to be on Tendulkar.

In six out of 67 Tests Virat Kohli has been India’s top-scorer in both the innings (incl. incomplete innings). Sachin Tendulkar also had six such instances in his career of 200 Tests.
Clearly, India are more dependent on Kohli now than they used to be on Tendulkar. #ENGvIND

— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) August 4, 2018

Another stat that highlights India’s over-dependence on Kohli, is the fact that he scored 200 runs in the match, whereas the rest managed to score 214 runs, quite startling!

Virat Kohli:
200 runs

The rest of the Indian batsmen combined:
214 runs#ENGvIND#Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) August 4, 2018

India lost the first Test at Edgbaston by 31 runs, after smelling victory for the most part of the second innings, to be precise till Kohli was at the wicket, is just a testament that cricket is a team game and not an individual sport.

ALSO READ: IND v ENG: Reasons That Led to India’s Loss at Edgbaston

On an individual front, Kohli became the fastest to 7000 Test runs as a captain. He also registered his maiden century on English soil.

In the past, it was Sachin Tendulkar who was the mainstay and millions of Indian fans prayed while he batted. Sachin Tendulkar’s impact on Indian cricket cannot be judged by number tough. He played at a time when the Indian team were not good travellers and played to draw Tests abroad. Today, India is No 1 in ICC ratings and hence the stakes are higher than ever.