- Shots
Sachin Tendulkar:—
This man is more of a lofty player. If you watch his innings, 60% of his boundaries would be sixers, one or two bounce. He really makes use of the height he has got. His Sixers go high, and usually travels 70 metres. This is also an advantage along with his ability to hit shots in the gap.
Most played shots-
- Hook
- Back foot drive/punch
- Straight drive
- Leg glance
- Cover drive
Sachin Tendulkar 143 (Vs) Australia - SandStorm Innings Sharjah
Virat Kohli:—
He is lofty, but not as much as Sachin was. Just 45% of his boundaries go for Sixers, one or two bounce. His shots mostly go in the ground and his Sixers are flat. They usually go 70-80 metres.
Most played shots-
- Cover drive
- Flick
- Square drive
- Pull shot
Virat Kohli 183 vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2012 HD
- Battling spinners
Both thrash spinners very well. The shots against spinners will mostly go airy. Kohli’s most played shot against spinners in inside out and cover drive while Sachin slogs sometimes and sometimes even sweeps.
- Influence of body
Sachin Tendulkar-
He uses his wrists less. His height is a gift for him to play Yorkers.
Virat Kohli-
He uses his wrists a lot and plays short balls well.
Have a look-
Look how wristy Kohli’s goes.
Secondly, the matter of stats.
Sachin Tendulkar-
Tests-
Runs- 15,921
Average- 53.78
100s- 51
50s- 68
Strike rate- 54.08
ODIs—
Runs- 18,426
Average- 44.83
100s- 49
50s- 96
Strike rate- 86.24
Virat Kohli(As of March 2018)-
Tests-
Runs- 5554
Average- 53.4
100s- 21
50s- 16
Strike rate- 58.27
ODIs-
Runs- 9588
Average- 58.11
100s- 35
50s- 46
Strike rate- 92.15
Bowlers they faced
Sachin Tendulkar-
- Wasim Akram
- Waqar Younis
- Glenn McGrath
- Shoaib Akhtar
- Shane Warne
- Muttaiah Muralidharan
- Brett Lee
- Allan Donald
- Oh shit, it's a big list
Virat Kohli
- Mitchell Starc
- Mohd. Amir
- Trent Boult
- Lasith Malinga
- Kagiso Rabada
Therefore you have to decide who's best. I’ve given you playing style, stats, bowlers and VK has the possibility of breaking records of Sachin in Limited overs but his test cricket isn't convincing.