Karthik Sees Challenges for Kohli, Optimism for Root in Breaking Tendulkar Records

4:14 AM ETDeveloping

Sports Desk

In Short: Former Indian cricketer and current Royal Challengers Bengaluru batting coach Dinesh Karthik expressed doubts about Virat Kohli's chances of reaching 100 centuries, a feat only Sachin Tendulkar has achieved.

"I really wish he does, but I think it is very hard," Karthik said on Cricbuzz.

In contrast, Karthik sees a good chance for Joe Root to surpass Tendulkar's Test run tally of 15,921 runs.

"Good chance. They play a lot of Test cricket. He still looks quite fit. He is happily scoring runs every time he goes out to bat. So, I think it looks very possible for him," Karthik added.

Kohli, who has said this will be his last ODI World Cup, emphasized his motivation to win the tournament.

"For me, it’s the last World Cup I’m going to play for India. That is my motivation and like, you know, to leave everything out there. And of course, the goal is absolutely to win the World Cup and whatever it takes, I’m absolutely ready," Kohli told broadcaster JioStar.

Kohli recently became the second player after Tendulkar to reach 15,000 runs in the 50-over format during the 1st ODI against West Indies.

Tendulkar took 377 innings to reach the milestone while Kohli did it in 303.

Kohli will look to win his second ODI World Cup after clinching the trophy on home soil in 2011.

He had a chance to repeat that feat in 2023 but suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the final against Australia.

What's still developing

“The intensity of ⁠a 50-over World Cup is greater than anything. Because now, it’s about 10 games at a Twenty20 level of intensity. But you are playing 2.5 T20 games in one day. And to maintain ⁠that intensity for 10 games in a big tournament and World Cup is a big deal. Also now, it’s in ⁠foreign conditions. It takes a lot out of ⁠you,” he had added.
Virat Kohli and Joe Root have two of Sachin Tendulkar’s records in sight, records they can break.
Former Indian cricketer and batting coach of Royal Challengers Bengaluru Dinesh Karthik gave his view on the matter, saying it is tougher for Kohli to get to 100 centuries.

Sources

The Indian Expresslink