CWC 2019:  4 World Cup co-incidences between Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli

The 12th edition of the cricket’s biggest championship, ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 starts in less than a week in England. The tournament which is played only once in 4 years is highly anticipated and is expected to be an excellent tournament.

The Indian team led by Virat Kohli is one of the best team in the tournament featuring 10 teams. After succumbing to defeat in the semi-final in 2015, Kohli and his boys will be aware of their pros and cons and will be hoping to put a good show to lift the trophy. The skipper, Virat Kohli himself will be an important aspect if India wants to replicate what they did in 1983 and 2011. Kohli will also be looking to replicate the role played by Sachin Tendulkar in the 2011 World Cup who thus helped India win the trophy after 28 years.

Here we list you 5 world cup co-incidence between Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli :

#1. First World Cup Man of the Match award

Sachin won the Man of the Series in 2003 World cup

Both Sachin and Kohli won their first Man of the Match award against the arch-rivals of India, Pakistan. In 1992, Batting first against Pakistan Sachin’s half-century helped India cross the 200-run mark thus posting a total of 216-7 on the board. Chasing 217, Pakistan were all-out for just 173 runs. Sachin was awarded the man of the match for his anchoring knock of 62-ball 54 which included 3 fours as well. In 2015, India batted first against Pakistan. A century from Kohli and half-centuries from Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina helped India post 300 runs on the board. Pakistan fell short by 76 runs in their chase as they were all-out for just 224 runs. Kohli was awarded the man of the match for his 126-ball 107 runs which included 8 boundaries.

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#2 Number of half-centuries before playing in World Cup

Kohli and Sachin

Touted to be the next Sachin, Kohli also shot to fame in his early stages of a career like Sachin. Kohli became a prominent part of the team very soon after some fine knocks like the little master Sachin Tendulkar. Before playing their 1st World Cup match, both Sachin and Kohli had 12 half-centuries in international cricket. Sachin made his ODI debut against Pakistan in December 1989. He played his first World Cup match against England in February 1992. In the span of just around 3 years, Sachin registered 12 fifties in international cricket.

On the other hand, Virat Kohli made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in early 2008. Kohli played his first match in 2011 World Cup against Bangladesh. Kohli had also registered the same number of half-centuries as Sachin Tendulkar before playing his first world cup match. Sachin made 35 runs in his debut world cup match while Kohli made an 83-ball century in his debut world cup match.

#3 Number of centuries after 2 world cups

Kohli scored his first World cup century in 2011

Sachin has played in 6 world cups so far with 1992 being the first while 2011 was his last. Virat Kohli has played in 2 world cups already in 2011 and 2015 while it will be his 3rd world cup this year. Both Sachin and Kohli have scored 2 centuries after playing their first 2 world cups. After failing to hit a century in 1992 world cup where he scored 283 runs, Sachin made amends as he scored 2 centuries in 1996 world cup. Sachin scored 283 and 523 runs in his first 2 world cups who also became the leading run-scorer in 1996 world cup.

On the other hand, Kohli made one century each in 2011 and 2015 world cup. Kohli made an amazing century in his debut world cup match in 2011 against Bangladesh. He also scored a match-winning century in 2015 against the arch-rivals Pakistan. Kohli has scored 282 and 305 runs in the 2 world cups that he has played for the country.

#4 Not-out in their first World Cup century

Sachin scored his first World cup century in 1996

Both Sachin and Kohli remained unbeaten when they scored their first world cup century in the World Cup. After managing only 283 runs in his first world cup in 1992, Sachin scored an excellent century in the very first game in 1996 world cup. The century came against Kenya. Kenya batted first in the encounter where they scored just 199 runs in the allotted 50 overs. Chasing 200, Sachin played an amazing knock as he scored his first century in world cups who guided the team across the line, he was also awarded the man of the match award for his unbeaten knock.

Kohli scored his first century in the world cup in his debut match against Bangladesh in 2011. Batting first, Virender Sehwag and Kohli hit a century as a result of which the team posted a humongous total of 370 on the board. Kohli remained not out on 100 which included 8 fours and 2 sixes. Chasing the huge target, Bangladesh fell short by 87 runs as they were able to score only 283 runs. Interestingly both of them scored identical runs on their first world cup. Sachin scored 283 runs in 1992 edition. Whereas, Kohli scored 282 runs in 2011 edition.