De Villiers vs. Kohli: Mother of all ODI comparisons

[ankitj]

We don't have a thread on this yet. This is the clash of two titans of ODI batsmenship in current times. Both strong candidates to be considered greatest ODI batsman of all time. Who do you think is better? Please vote.

Player	Span	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	BF	SR	100	50	0	4s	6s
V Kohli	2008-2017	202	194	32	9030	183	55.74	9844	91.73	32	45	12	839	98
AB de Villiers	2005-2017	225	215	39	9515	176	54.06	9414	101.07	25	53	7	835	202

 

[OverratedSanity]

AB can't chase like kohli but kohli doesn't have that insane extra gear AB has. In the majority of situations that extra explosiveness is more valuable imo.

 

[srbhkshk]

Their stats and impact on the game is fairly comparable, Kohli's SR is lower but I have never seen him play slower than what was needed so it's not a concern and in the past 2 years he has discovered another gear as well because of the ability to hit sixes with his increased strength.

It all comes down to World Cups, whoever can win their team the 2019 WC would be ahead, Kohli has the advantage in that he almost definitely has a shot at 2023 as well while ABD almost definitely doesn't.

 

[ankitj]

Any way to make the poll non anonymous now?

 

[Motorwada]

Their stats and impact on the game is fairly comparable, Kohli's SR is lower but I have never seen him play slower than what was needed so it's not a concern and in the past 2 years he has discovered another gear as well because of the ability to hit sixes with his increased strength.

It all comes down to World Cups, whoever can win their team the 2019 WC would be ahead, Kohli has the advantage in that he almost definitely has a shot at 2023 as well while ABD almost definitely doesn't.

Kohli has won a WC though and played an important cameo in the final plus he'll also play 2023

 

[srbhkshk]

Kohli has won a WC though and played an important cameo in the final plus he'll also play 2023

Kohli didn't have much to do with that WC win, although yes he did play an okay-ish innings in the final. That WC was really more about Sachin/Sehwag/Gambhir/Dhoni/Yuvi/Raina - Kohli was the 7th best batsman tbh.

 

[StephenZA]

ABdV >>> Kohli as a fielder and wicketkeeper, easy win....

 

[srbhkshk]

Nah Kohli is a gun fielder in ODIs, he just stinks when he insists on standing in slips in Tests.

Also, Kohli's bowling action >>>> Any other bowler in history.

 

[StephenZA]

Nah Kohli is a gun fielder in ODIs, he just stinks when he insists on standing in slips in Tests.

Also, Kohli's bowling action >>>> Any other bowler in history.

ABdV is a TOPgun fielder.... and not bad slipper. I will have to agree on the bowling action. But none of them bowls as well as Amla...

 

[Tec15]

ABDV by a country mile. Kohli's mythical chasing ability only shows in situations like a flat Hobart pudding against Sri Lanka in a meaningless tri series match. Put him in a knockout match in the World Cup or Champions Trophy and he'll fold every time. As proven just a few months ago. Got dropped against Aamer, still couldn't capitalize and got dismissed immediately afterward. Where was his ability to chase 300+ then?

 

[srbhkshk]

ABDV by a country mile. Kohli's mythical chasing ability only shows in situations like a flat Hobart pudding against Sri Lanka in a meaningless tri series match. Put him in a knockout match in the World Cup or Champions Trophy and he'll fold every time. As proven just a few months ago. Got dropped against Aamer, still couldn't capitalize and got dismissed immediately afterward. Where was his ability to chase 300+ then?

2013 CT final , 2011 WC final , 2017 CT semis.2013 CT semifinal, Ind vs SA in group stage 2017 (was a knockout game for both teams).

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Got to go Kohli on this one. Such a tight one though and very little in it. Be like choosing best finisher between Dhoni and Bevan.

 

[Spark]

2013 CT final , 2011 WC final , 2017 CT semis.2013 CT semifinal, Ind vs SA in group stage 2017 (was a knockout game for both teams).

Meanwhile, having a look at ABdV in tournament finals:



(having said that, the 2013 CT final is a bit of a stretch)

 

[weldone]

AB, because that difference of 10 in SR is insane. Imagine comparing Kohli to someone with SR of 81 in the modern days..

 

[Motorwada]

Meanwhile, having a look at ABdV in tournament finals:



(having said that, the 2013 CT final is a bit of a stretch)

That was a good innings on a tricky pitch. Him and Jadeja saved the day.

 

[Spark]

That was a good innings on a tricky pitch. Him and Jadeja saved the day.

Yeah but it's a de facto T20 match. Hard to read into it.

Ftr I am definitely picking Kohli, despite ABdV being statistically superior. Has won games India have had absolutely no right to be even competitive in.

 

[Flem274*]

Has won games India have had absolutely no right to be even competitive in.

all of them?

 

[randycricfreak]

Can we also include Viv here?

I think it's almost impossible to compare the two, both have been amazing bats each to their own.Kohli a no.3,who sets up a game for India,and AB is someone who's dominating the opposing sides with his classy strokeplay

 

[Spark]

Isn't it the general consensus that Viv is still in a class of his own?

 

[ankitj]

Isn't it the general consensus that Viv is still in a class of his own?

Don't know how long that will be the case though.