Former England fast bowler Steve Harmison has reignited one of cricket’s most passionate and enduring debates: who is the greatest between Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar? In a surprising declaration, Harmison confidently named the former India captain, Virat Kohli, as the greatest cricketer of the last three decades.
Speaking on talkSPORT Cricket, Harmison praised Kohli’s unparalleled ability to perform consistently amidst intense public scrutiny. He emphasized Kohli’s remarkable adaptability to the evolving demands of modern cricket, citing these as crucial factors that elevate him even above the legendary Tendulkar. “I put Virat Kohli at number one over Sachin Tendulkar, and that would raise a lot of eyebrows,” Harmison stated. “The way the game has changed over the last ten years, Virat’s had to deal with a hell of a lot more off-field stuff that would affect him on the field. For me, in the last 20-30 years, the greatest cricketer that has played the game — you take Shane Warne out because he came earlier — I think it’s Virat Kohli.”
Kohli, who will turn 37 next month, is slated to rejoin the Indian team for an upcoming ODI series in Australia, marking his return after a seven-month hiatus. During the 2023 ODI World Cup, he sensationally surpassed Tendulkar’s long-standing record of 49 centuries, now boasting an impressive 51 ODI hundreds. Across 302 matches, Kohli has accumulated 14,181 runs at a stellar average of 57.88, positioning him third on the all-time run charts, behind Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara.
Harmison also offered his perspective on the recent discussions surrounding senior players’ involvement in domestic cricket, specifically backing Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He argued, “These guys haven’t played domestic cricket since 2013 and 2018 because they’ve been non-stop with India. If Agarkar’s looking for a fight, he might get one — but he’s not going to win. This could be a heavy knockout in the first round if he tries to go in, especially without Virat.”
While Sachin Tendulkar remains an idol for millions and a benchmark of cricketing excellence, Harmison’s bold remarks undoubtedly add fresh intensity to a rivalry that extends beyond mere statistics, influenced profoundly by the eras in which these titans played and the expectations placed upon them.