Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. (Source – Getty Images)
Brad Hogg opined that Virat Kohli will not be able to surpass Sachin Tendulkar’s record run tally in Test cricket after going through indifferent form in the format in the last few years.
Tendulkar is the highest run-getter of all time in Tests as well as ODIs. In the longest format of the game, the Master Blaster has amassed a whopping 15,921 runs from 200 games. Meanwhile, Kohli has currently aggregated 8,871 runs from 114 Tests since making his debut in 2011. The Delhi batter is already 35 years old and Hogg feels that it would be difficult for him to score another 7,051 runs to break Tendulkar’s record.
The former Australian wrist spinner noted that Kohli’s inconsistent form over the last few years in the red-ball format has pegged him back. Hogg said that the former India captain will have to get his act together in the next 10 matches to have hopes of overhauling Tendulkar’s run tally.
“I don’t think Virat is going to get there now. I just don’t think Virat is going to get there. I think he’s lost his momentum and the momentum that he’s lost has been for a number of years now. He’s got to turn around in the next 10 Test matches, or he’s going to drop off,” Hogg said on his YouTube channel.
Watch out, Joe Root is on the move to beat Sachin Tendulkar: Brad Hogg
While Kohli hasn’t been as prolific with the bat in Tests in recent years, Joe Root, Kane Williamson, and Steve Smith have continued to enthral the cricket fraternity with their consistent performances. Root is the leading run-getter among them, having scored 12,402 runs from 146 Tests. Hogg backed the former England Test captain to break Tendulkar’s record.
Also Read: Joe Root will go down as England’s greatest batter whether he does get to Sachin or not: Ian Bell
“So, Joe Root has 146 Test matches with 12,000 runs. Sachin Tendulkar made nearly 16,000 runs in 200 Test matches. That’s 4,000 runs in 66 Tests. I think Joe Root can go close to toppling that,” Hogg said.
“I think it’s going to be something to watch. Watch out, Joe Root is on the move to beat Sachin Tendulkar. I think quietly he’ll have that in the back of his mind to try and topple that little unique stat,” he concluded.