Virat Kohli is still ‘David’ in front of ‘Goliath’ Sachin Tendulkar: Bishan Singh Bedi

Virat Kohli (above) is the fourth batsman to amass 1,000 runs in three successive calendar years. He has joined Sourav Ganguly (1997 to 2000), Sachin Tendulkar (1996 to 1998), and MS Dhoni (2007 to 2009) © Getty Images

Nov 1, 2013

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Former India cricket captain Bishan Singh Bedi, who was part of the famous Indian spin quartet, said on Friday that present vice-captain Virat Kohli is still ‘David’ in front of ‘Goliath’ Sachin Tendulkar.

ViratK is still ‘David’ in frnt o ‘Goliath’ SRT!Comparisons r flying n thick & fast bit too prematurely!ViratK must last at top & in tests!!

— Bishan Bedi (@BishanBedi) November 1, 2013

Kohli’s latest performance against the Australians in the sixth One-Day International (ODI) at Nagpur drew comparisons between him and Tendulkar.

With Kohli regularly slamming centuries in ODIs, former captain Sunil Gavaskar on Thursday said the Indian batting sensation can break retiring legend Sachin Tendulkar’s record number of tons in the 50-over format.

Kohli smashed 115 not out off 66 balls in a much needed run-chase. Australia had set a target of 351. Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma gave India an opening partnership of 176 runs for the first wicket. However, India fell into trouble when they lost quick wickets of Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh.

Kohli, along with captain MS Dhoni guided India to victory. India required 35 off the last three overs and it was Kohli again who turned India’s fortunes around.

James Faulkner was plundered for 15 runs in the 47th over to leave India with 20 to get in the last two.

In the process, Kohli became the only batsman  to score five or more consecutive 50-plus innings twice in ODIs history.

Kohli is the fourth batsman to amass 1000 runs in three successive calendar years. He has joined Sourav Ganguly (1997 to 2000), Tendulkar (1996 to 1998), and Dhoni (2007 to 2009).

Kohli’s 61-ball century is the third fastest by an Indian batsman in ODIs behind the 52-ball hundred by Kohli against Australia at Jaipur on October 16, 2013 and the 60-ball hundred by Virender Sehwag against New Zealand at Hamilton on March 11, 2009. Kohli has taken 112 innings to record 17 centuries — 58 innings less than Ganguly.