Kohli vs Tendulkar: Virat Kohli's race against time to hit 100 century mark

For the longest time - 1,019 days to be precise - it seemed like Virat Kohli had crossed the peak of his career. All that changed this Thursday when the former Indian captain scored 122 runs against Afghanistan.

His scintillating innings against Afghanistan marked his 71st century in international cricket, putting him on even terms with Australian Ricky Ponting as the batsmen with the second most centuries.

Who's the first? Sachin Tendulkar, with 100 hundreds to his name.


But with Kohli back in form and firing - he's the batsman with the most runs in this edition of the Asia Cup with 276 runs from five innings - the record for most centuries doesn't seem impossible.

And that's not all, Kohli's firecracker display in Thursday's match also rekindles the GOAT (greatest of all time) debate. Is he up there with Sachin? Here are some stats to aid that argument:

34-years-old
Tendulkar, at the age of 34, had amassed 25,525 runs playing test matches and one-day internationals. Kohli - who turns 34 in November - has 24,002 runs.

At the same age, Tendulkar had 76 centuries to his name and would go on to score 24 more before he retired. Kohli has to score 30 more to surpass the record. If he does achieve it, he would also break Sri Lankan Kumar Sangakkara's record of scoring 26 centuries after the age of 34.

However, Kohli's three year run-drought could prove costly to his ambitions of being the GOAT.


2022 tours
Fortunately for Kohli, the sheer amount of cricket the Indian team plays could help his cause. The boys in blue are set to play Australia and South Africa before going to the T20 World Cup and then playing another series with New Zealand.


Even if Kohli doesn't hit the 100-mark, the Delhi batter will easily clear Ponting to outright become the cricketer with the second-most centuries in the sport.