Former South African cricketer
In a discussion on his YouTube channel, de Villiers highlighted Tendulkar's pioneering influence, stating, "I think of someone like Sachin Tendulkar way back, who started that trend for India. Yet, he wasn’t as strong as someone like Virat Kohli, who was even better. But Sachin was the first guy to show that as a subcontinent batter, you can do well in bouncy and seaming conditions. Virat took that forward and raised the bar." This sentiment underscores Kohli's significant impact on the game, particularly in overseas Test cricket.
Statistical Comparisons and Legacy
Tendulkar, who retired in 2013, remains the highest run-scorer in Test history, amassing 15,921 runs across 200 matches. Notably, 8,705 of those runs were scored outside India, which constitutes approximately 55% of his total. In contrast, Kohli concluded his Test career in May 2025 with 9,230 runs in 123 matches, ranking him 19th on the all-time list. While Kohli's overseas tally stands at 4,774 runs in 66 Tests, Tendulkar's record in SENA countries—South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia—further emphasizes his dominance, with 5,387 runs at an average of 51.30.
Despite the statistical edge held by Tendulkar, de Villiers believes that Kohli's influence extends beyond mere numbers. Under Kohli's leadership, India has transformed into a formidable force in international cricket, setting new benchmarks for performance in foreign conditions. This legacy appears to be inspiring a new generation of players, including KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal, who are following in the footsteps of both Tendulkar and Kohli.
Future Prospects for Indian Batters
While praising Rahul's technique and potential, de Villiers pointed out that the Karnataka batsman needs to enhance his performance in overseas matches, where he averages only 34. "KL is a guy with a sound technique and is a big asset in that Indian lineup. But he averages only 34 away from home. So you’ll expect more, and that is one area where he has to work on," de Villiers noted. He emphasized the importance of converting starts into substantial scores, suggesting that Rahul should aim for bigger innings to solidify his place in the team.
As India looks to build on their recent success in Galle, the focus remains on nurturing a new generation of batsmen capable of upholding the nation's strong reputation in challenging overseas conditions.
