Sri Lankan cricketer Chaminda Vaas prepares to bowl during a team training session at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore on February 28, 2009. Younus Khan feared Sri Lanka will come down hard on his team to give their captain Mahela Jayawardene a winning farewell in the second Test which starts in Lahore on March 1. AFP PHOTO/ Aamir QURESHI (Photo credit should read AAMIR QURESHI/AFP/Getty Images)
In the latest development of the Virat Kohli-Sachin Tendulkar batting records debate, Sri Lanka cricket legend Chaminda Vaas has weighed in with his honest take. As the discussion on whether Kohli can surpass Tendulkar’s numerous batting records resurfaces, Vaas believes that records are meant to be broken and that Kohli has the potential to achieve this feat.
Having faced Tendulkar on the cricket field on numerous occasions, Vaas acknowledges that the Little Master’s records are a testament to his unparalleled talent and longevity during his playing days. Tendulkar’s name is etched in cricketing history, boasting records for the most Test and ODI runs, as well as the most centuries in both formats.
On the other hand, Kohli, who has publicly expressed his admiration for Tendulkar and considered him his cricketing idol, has showcased exceptional skills and consistency in the 50-over format, hinting at the possibility of surpassing some of Tendulkar’s records.
Vaas commented, “Records are there to be broken, you know, you can’t keep records all the time. Different eras, different players, but the way I see it, Kohli is still young and has a lot of time. Age is just a number, and the way he’s performing, I’m sure he will do well for Indian cricket. We have seen different generations in which India has produced excellent cricketers.”
Despite Kohli’s recent lean patch and vulnerability outside off stump, Vaas pointed out that the Indian captain showcased a return to form with a century against the West Indies. He also empathized with the pressure on Kohli, given his consistent run-scoring throughout his career, emphasizing that even the best players can experience challenging phases.
“Most people want Kohli to perform all the time. If he fails in one or two games, people react in a different way because Kohli has been scoring right from the beginning of his career. A player can go out of touch, but there is no doubt about his class. Even on the West Indies tour, he has performed. He wants to improve and contribute to Indian cricket. I’m sure he will do well. Even in (Sachin) Tendulkar’s latter part, people expected him to perform in every match. But that can’t happen all the time. Maybe that’s why Kohli is lacking right now. His fitness level and technique are really good, as far as I’m concerned,” Vaas added.
While fans and cricket enthusiasts eagerly await to witness whether Kohli will indeed break Tendulkar’s records, one thing remains certain – the Indian skipper’s undying commitment to the game and the legacy he is building. As Vaas rightly suggested, records are bound to be rewritten, and the cricketing world eagerly watches the rise of a modern-day great in the form of Virat Kohli.
