Virat Kohli vs Sir Vivian Richards: A statistical battle

#3 World Cups

Both Virat Kohli and Sir Vivian Richards have been a part of a successful World Cup winning squad. Richards was very much part of two World Cup winning elevens while Kohli has a got a great chance to make it two in 2019, winning the first in 2011.

Virat Kohli, in 17 innings, has scored 587 runs at an avg of 42 and strike rate of 82, including two 100+ and one 50+ scores. On the other hand, the mighty Sir Viv amassed 1013 runs in 21 innings out of 23 matches which includes 3 majestic 100+ scores and five 50+ scores at a stupendous average of 63.31.

Tournament finals:

Virat Kohli has still not managed to score a 50 in a tournament final. His highest score is 43. He averages a dismal 22 in big games.

Mighty Viv was a big player as his record in tournament finals stands out. In 18 matches, he has scored 836 runs at a jaw-dropping average of 55.73, which includes nine 50+ scores and one century in the World Cup final in 1979.

This shows when it comes to big games, Sir Viv has the edge. Kohli still has a lot of opportunities with a minimum of two more World Cups possible in his career.

4) captaincy

Vivian Richards was a great captain and his records speak for itself. In 50 test matches that he lead the carribean's, his team won 27 games and lost only 8 matches. Eventhough they had a devastating bowling attack, it's difficult for a captain to control big players and make every one play for one goal. His win percentage is 54% just below Waugh and Pointing.

As a captain, Sir Vivian Richards in 74 innings scored 3068 runs at an avg of 45.12 which includes 6 100+ and 23 50+ scores.

While Kohli is still a young captain he has achieved some rare feat. His batting performances as a captain is phenomenal. But, most of them being at home makes it less interesting. The real challenge lied in South Africa, England and Australia. But, his team, though put out a show, but it wasn't enough to seal victory. At present, Kohli has lead team India into 42 test matches and 27 of them have been on winning end and 9 on losing one. His winning percentage is 57.14.

But Kohli has been phenomenal when it comes to taking the responsibility of the team on his shoulders with the bat. He has scored a whopping 4233 runs at a stunning avg of 65.12. He has scored 17 100+ scores and only 9 50+ scores. And to add to that, he has got 6 double hundreds as a skipper. His conversion rate is considered to be one of the best of all time.

Though we know numbers don't speak all about a player, and definitely not about Sir I.V.A. Richards, it's just a matter of numbers that's all. There is no comparison between these two, they are legends in their own right.