Virat Gets to Mt. 12000 Earlier Than Sachin by 58 Innings, Is He Better?

Virat Kohli has been smashing records for more than a decade now. Though he didn't get to his first 2000 runs in ODI cricket as quickly as his current status as the unmatched master of ODI batting would suggest, by the time he reached 3000 runs, it was clear that Kohli was destined for greatness.

When he reached 5000 ODI runs, he only had Vivian Richards ahead of him for least innings taken for getting to that milestone. When he reached the summit of 6000, he had gone past King Viv also. From 8000 onwards, he has reached the multiples of 1000 runs in ODIs ahead of everyone else. Now, he has completed his climb to the top of Mt. 12000.

It took Kohli 242 innings. Sachin Tendulkar had held the record for being quickest to 12000. He took 300 innings. Needless to say, Kohli is way ahead of the man he and millions of other kids in the 1990s grew up admiring. This brings to the fore a question that is, possibly, the most divisive in Indian cricket universe today - Is Kohli better than Tendulkar?

The arguments in this debate are also familiar. Those in support of Kohli will mention his eye-popping stats while those in the Tendulkar camp will make the case that Kohli has played in a much more batting-friendly era.

But there is another very important fact that needs to be remembered while weighing up both players. That is the very limited start that Sachin had to his ODI career. While he did play some good innings, Sachin's ODI journey really took off when he opened the innings for the first time in this format - against New Zealand on March 27, 1994, at Auckland.

His 82 off 49 in that game was the announcement of his arrival on the big stage of 50-over cricket. Later that year, after a wait of 78 games, he scored his first ODI hundred. Kohli, on the other hand, was batting in the top order right from the begining of his career. You can argue that Sachin's ODI career begins in right earnest only after around his first 70-odd matches.

So, the difference of 58 matches between Kohli and Sachin, when they reached 12000 runs, is superficial. But it is rendered such even more so by the massive changes in the game of ODI cricket. In 1990s, a score of 260 was regarded as very likely to be successfully defended. Now, even 350 isn't safe.

On top of that, while Sachin was way ahead of his peers in ODI cricket during his era, Kohli's exploits, if not matched fully, are partially being replicated by a host of top class batsmen. Kane Williamson, Joe Root, Quinton de Kock, Rohit Sharma, and some others have been racing through multiples of 1000 runs in record time also.

So, before declaring Kohli as the greatest of all time, one has to weigh in several factors that put his predecessors like Tendulkar and RIchards at a disadvantage vis-a-vis him. What can be said without any doubt is that, Kohli belongs to the most elite batsmen that ODI format has seen. But calling him the greatest of all time is not possible.

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AUS vs IND 3rd ODI: What Experts said as India wins a thriller to salvage some pride

The third and final game of the series was nothing short of a litmus test for the Indian team as it had to prove to the world that it’s not something to be pushed over every time. Jasprit Bumrah had to tell the world that when it comes to death overs, he is still the number one bowler in the world when he bowled the danger looking Glenn Maxwell to set up a 13 run win for the Men in Blue at Manuka Oval. Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja had to prove that they are in the team for their batting as well. And the debutant T. Natarajan along with Shardul Thakur, the guys who got the first shot at the cherry in the series also proved that they are worth the chance. While Shardul finished with a tally of 3/51 in his 10 overs, Natarajan’s debut ended with 2/70 in his 10. Captains' Viewpoints Finally ending up on the right side of the results, Virat Kohli was all smiles post the match and during the post-match presentation as he lauded his team for the effort that is put on in the last game. "It's particularly pleasing that we were under the pump for the first half of our innings, and the second half of Australia's, and we fought back both times. One guy making his debut, Shubman coming back, that brought us some freshness,” Kohli said on the victory and the comeback of the team. The captain also lauded his fast bowlers and at the same time also said that the bounce in the pitch mattered a lot. “I think the pitch was much better in terms of helping the bowlers, so obviously, the confidence levels go up. We were able to put Australia under pressure because of that fact as well. Talking about the partnership that Jadeja and Pandya made, Kohli said that he wasn’t really shocked considering that both these guys have been playing cricket for a long time now. “Playing international cricket for 13-14 years, you should be able to come back like we did. I would have liked to go on for a bit longer, but we had a great partnership between Hardik and Jadeja,” said the 32-year-old. Acknowledging that the victory was required for the team going into the T20I series, Kohli said, “It was exactly what the team needed to get that boost, even though we've lost the series. We played with heart and desire, and that's what you need to do in Australia." The Australian skipper Aaron Finch, who was the lone warrior in the first half of the Aussie innings with his 75 off 83 balls felt that his team really fought well and rued the fact that they were unable to break the partnership between Jadeja and Pandya. "We fought really well today, just fell a little short. Obviously great partnership between Hardik and Jadeja, we might have been in a good position if we'd nabbed one of them early,” Finch said. Lauding the new players in the team, Finch said, “I thought Cameron Green came in and made an impact with ball and bat, and showed he belongs at the international level. Ashton Agar played well too, so it was good to get them in and get some information on them.” Saying that playing two spinners makes the 50 overs go a little quicker, the skipper couldn’t agree more with the fact that both Ashton agar and David Zampa were impactful today. In total, the spinners bowled 20 overs and gave away just 89 runs after picking three wickets. Alex Carey played a good inning and was threatening India with his partnership alongside Maxwell. Finch went on to appreciate the least talked bout Aussie members as well as wished that Starc would be back for the T20s. “It's nice when guys in the top order have really good contributions, and then Maxy can come in and do his thing in the back end. I thought Alex Carey, Moises, these guys did well too,” said Finch. “Hopefully [Starc] is back for the T20s. Just a niggly thing with the back," he added. Expert Opinion The experts in this game were impressed by how both Jadeja and Pandya impressed and were the main reason for getting India to a total (302) that could be defended well into the game, albeit not without the Maxwell scare. The bowlers in Bumrah, Natarajan, and Shardul Thakur were also praised for their brilliant work. Renowned cricket writer and show host Boria Majumdar, instead of calling it a dead rubber said that the game held as much importance as any other game because of the Super League. He also praised Natarajand and Shardul Thakur for their resolve. Ayaz Memon, the well-known cricket journalist called it a momentum-changing game saying that this victory would push the momentum towards the Indian team going into the T20 series. Gaurav Kalra, a broadcast journalist, too lauded Jadeja, for the kind of bowling that he did as the all-rounder ended with figures of 1-62 and that one wicket was of the most dangerous Aaron Finch. All this came on the back of his 50 balls 66 with the bat. Sambit Bal another journalist was pointed out that this series has proved how India could go in with Hardik Pandya as a pure batsman and when he bowls, how the team balance would be affected in a great way. Bharat Seervi, the statistician pointed out how crucial the partnership for the sixth wicket between Pandya and Jadeja was as this, even while being the 3rd highest in all-time highest 6th wicket partnerships for India, but was also against a strong unit like Australia, while the rest, preceding it were against a weaker opponent like Zimbabwe. And in an expert piece how can we forget to get in a cheeky one from Gaurav Kalra. Well, this time a rather straightforward shot though, yes India managed to get past 300 in all innings, Aussies couldn’t. The action now shifts to the shortest format of the game and a bit different teams would be playing. Australia will obviously rue Warner’s absence, but can those, who would get a chance to make case for themselves on 4th, will be able to prove their worth? That can only be answered on 4th December at the same venue.

NZ vs WI: Exciting Young to make his New Zealand debut

A domestic cricket hard worker Will Young has finally got his opportunity to debut for New Zealand as the Kiwi captain Kane Williamson confirmed the news ahead of the first Test between hosts New Zealand and West Indies beginning in Hamilton. "He's been around the environment for some time without getting his first opportunity so I think that's also a real positive," Williamson said in the pre-match press conference. Recounting Young’s domestic cricket exploits in which has been in a prolific run over the years, Williamson praised Young and said, "Often you come into teams and it's new, you are trying to get a feel for the group but he's got that feel, he's an experienced player, has played a lot of first-class cricket and to a very high standard and he deserves that opportunity." Young on receiving the news was congratulated by his Central Districts and now New Zealand teammate Neil Wagner. Young, 28, has played 78 first-class games and in them, he has scored 5077 runs with the highest score of 162 and at an impressive average of 43.76. The debutant will likely open the innings as Tom Blundell has been asked to take BJ Watling’s place in the middle order. Devon Conway has replaced Watling in the team but would have to wait for his Test debut, having made his Blackcaps debut early on in the T20I series which the Kiwis won 2-0. The second game would take place in basin reserve Wellington from 11-15 December.

Won't tolerate if he degrades my people: Naveen Ul- Haq hits back at Afridi

The flare between Shahid Afridi doesn’t seem to be dying down soon as the Afghan cricketer replied to the Pakistan legend’s comments, which he said as advice to him post the game between the Kandy Tuskers (Nvaeen’s side) and Afridi led Glle Gladiators. Although, the center of the controversy or the fight wasn’t Afridi. The incident took place at the end of the game when Pakistan and Galle pacer Mohammad Amir had a heated exchange with Amir and players had to separate the two. Afridi, replying to a Sky Sports video in which he was seen scowling to Naveen during the customary after match handshakes, tweeted, “My advice to the young player was simple, play the game and don't indulge in abusive talk. I have friends in the Afghanistan team and we have very cordial relations. Respect for teammates and opponents is the basic spirit of the game.” Replying to this tweet from the 40-year-old Afridi, Naveen, 21, said, “Always ready to take advice and give respect, Cricket is a gentleman’s game but if someone says you all are under our feet and will stay their then he is not only talking about me but also talking abt my ppl. #give #respect #take #respect.” What Naveen suggested through his tweet was that Amir tried to insult Naveen and his Afghan people, of course, it could never be verified. As far as the game in Hambantota is concerned, Kandy tuskers had beaten Galle by 25 runs.

Twitter reacts to Jadeja- Pandya storm in the last 10 overs in Canberra

India were traveling in deep waters when the pairing of Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja was created at the Manuka Oval in Canberra. At 152 / 5 with a well set Virat Kohli going back to the pavilion and a ‘bits and pieces’ player taking his place on the crease, nobody would have given India any chance of getting to 250, let alone 300. But, the day had something very special reserved for all the fans of Sir Jadeja [and his sword celebration] and Hardik Pandya as the two played cautiously at the start and then build upon it to change gears as and when required. From making just 42 in the first eight overs of their partnership to hitting 76 in the last five, the two showed that the Indian team indeed bats deep. While Hardik hit his fifty off 56 balls, Jadeja too was slow at the start. But it was the Sean Abbot over that changed things for Jadeja and he took over the mantle from Pandya in the last three overs and scored thirty runs in just seven balls to reach his fifty. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Pandya’s innings of 92 from 76 were rather overshadowed by Jadeja’s 66 off 50 balls. However, thanks to these two innings, India have been able to post a competitive total of 302 runs. Although it is less than the average score of 355, with the momentum, the Indian team can back itself to defend. At the time of writing this news, T. Natrajan had already got his first scalp in international cricket bowling out Marnus Labuschagne. Australia are 44-1 after 8 overs.