Delhi: Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, the two great batsmen of Indian cricket, are often compared. Team India's former off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has made his opinion clear on this debate. According to Ashwin, Sachin is ahead of Virat. He believes that it would not be right to look at both equally on the basis of statistics alone.

It is important to understand the difference between generations

Ashwin said that the conditions of cricket during Sachin's era were quite different from today..

Sachin was under a lot of pressure due to the expectations of the Indian team. At that time, in 50 over matches played during the day, the ball was old and the rules of fielding on the field were also different. At the same time, in current cricket, the batsmen get the benefit of two new balls and different rules.

Ashwin said, “There should never be a comparison between Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli and I will always stand by my point that Sachin Tendulkar is better. There are two reasons for this.

First, I am a big fan of his. Second, look at the kind of innings he has played. He was the hope of Indian cricket. There is no fault of Virat Kohli in this. If he had batted at number three in any era, he would definitely have been a great player, but look at the rules.”

He further said, “In the first ODI against West Indies, after 34 overs, the first innings had to be played with only one ball. In the light of day, the ball would become old. Sachin has played a lot of 50-over cricket during the day. This does not happen today. Five fielders are inside the circle and two new balls are used.

These are huge differences. It is not right for me to compare players of two different generations.”

100 international centuries can change perspective

Virat Kohli has a chance to complete 100 centuries in international cricket. At present, he has 86 centuries to his name. According to Ashwin, if Kohli achieves this feat, then it would be appropriate to keep both the legends at the same level.

Ashwin said, “If he completes 100 centuries, I will salute him. It will be a fantastic achievement. If he can do it, I would say that both the players are at the same level without any doubt.”