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Mohammad Kaif has opened up on the never-ending comparison between Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar. With India currently playing the ODI series against the West Indies, the former India batter explained why comparing two legends from different generations is not an easy task.
Kaif highlighted the strong similarities between Kohli and Tendulkar before discussing the areas where each batter had an advantage. He also explained how the pressure around Tendulkar was different from what Kohli experienced during his career. Earlier, Mohit Sharma set for CSK return in new role ahead of 2027 IPL season.
Mohammad Kaif reveals one big similarity between Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar
Mohammad Kaif feels Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar share one important quality despite playing in different generations. The former Indian batter said that both batting legends never allowed personal records and achievements to become bigger than the team.
Kaif pointed out that both Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar have always focused on doing their job and helping India win matches. He also feels Kohli had to work on controlling his nature and emotions during the early part of his career, while Tendulkar had a natural calm approach.
Mohammad Kaif said in a video on his YouTube channel, "He already visualizes what he wants to do. This comes only with experience. I will tell you two similarities between Kohli and Sachin. Both never had any ego about their performances."
"Kohli had to work on his nature and control; Sachin was like that from the beginning. But if you look at both now, they have no ego about their records. They just play, do their work, win games for the country, and move forward.”
Mohammad Kaif makes stunning Sachin Tendulkar-Virat Kohli comparison
The former Indian batter has stressed that it is extremely difficult to decide who was better because Tendulkar and Virat Kohli played in very different eras. Tendulkar carried enormous responsibility during the early part of his career. India depended heavily on him for runs, and there was less batting support around him compared to the teams Kohli played in.
He also noted that Tendulkar faced some of the best bowlers of his generation, which added to the challenge. Notably, Tendulkar played 664 matches for India across formats, in which he scored 34,357 runs at an average of 48.52 with the help of 100 international centuries. Amid this, Aakash Chopra wants Mohammed Siraj in India’s XI for 2nd ODI vs West Indies.
Kaif explained, “It is very difficult to compare Kohli and Sachin, as they have played in different generations. Sachin had a different pressure in his era. India was dependent on him. It took a long time before there were other batters to take responsibility. There was tremendous pressure. Also look at the bowlers he faced. All those were great bowlers.”
“Kohli had to work on his technique. But he also worked on it and got his career to this level despite having limitations initially. When it comes to chase, there is no one bigger than him. Maybe even Sachin could not have chased like this, and Kohli is ahead there.”
Mohammad Kaif explains why Sachin Tendulkar had more pressure than Virat Kohli
One major difference between the two eras is the support around them, as Kaif highlighted India's first ODI against the West Indies as an example. Shubman Gill scored a century alongside Kohli, while Rohit Sharma also provided a strong start.
He noted that Tendulkar did not always have the same level of support around him. Because of this, Kaif feels Tendulkar had a slight advantage when it came to handling pressure.
He signed off by saying, “A slight advantage Kohli has is support. Sachin did not have this luxury as much. Given the pressure Sachin played under, he is slightly ahead here. Both are great players, and we are lucky both played for India.”
