Virat Kohli is set to return to action as India face Australia in a three-match ODI series from October 19 to 25. The first game will be played in Perth, followed by matches in Adelaide and Sydney. The series marks the start of India’s long preparation phase for upcoming major tournaments.
Kohli last played for India during the Champions Trophy in the UAE earlier this year. After leading India to the T20 World Cup title in 2024, he retired from the shortest format. He also stepped away from Test cricket before the England tour and now focuses only on the 50-over format at the international level.
The upcoming ODI in Australia will be significant to both Kohli and Team India; they are looking into the 2027 World Cup. Form and consistency of Kohli will also be considered because he is among the major batters of India. Previously, the comparison of his and Sachin Tendulkar records in the ODI in Australia is once again the burning topic.
1. Virat Kohli vs Sachin Tendulkar – Who has more average and strike rate in ODIs in Australia?
Virat Kohli has been on 29 ODIs in Australia career with 1,327 runs with an average of 51.03 and strike rate of 89.06. The highest scoring years in his career were 2012 and 2016 after scoring heavily on a consistent basis including in 2016, the high of 381 runs in five innings at 76.20 on average.
Sachin Tendulkar, however, appeared in forty seven ODs in Australia and scored 1,491 runs averaging 34.67 with a strike rate of 75.26. He played his most admirable matches in 1992 and 2008 when he demonstrated the class in opposing the attack of the finest quality. Although in more difficult times of bowling, Tendulkar prevailed, the numbers of Kohli are more consistent and he scores higher.
2. Virat Kohli vs Sachin Tendulkar- Who has scored the highest number of 50 plus times in ODIs in Australia?
In Australia, both the Kohli and Tendulkar have 11 scores of 50 or above. Five of those were centuries and six fifties which were converted by Kohli, and his highest mark was an unbeaten 133 in 86 balls against Sri Lanka in 2012. The fact that he is able to run under pressure has turned many of these knock-ins into match winning ones.
| Player | Matches | Runs | Average | SR | HS | 100s | 50s |
| Virat Kohli | 29 | 1,327 | 51.03 | 89.06 | 133* | 5 | 6 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 47 | 1,491 | 34.67 | 75.26 | 117* | 1 | 10 |
Tendulkar had also 11 fifty pluses but only a century. His best performance was 117 with 117 being the highest score he made in the semifinals of the Commonwealth Bank Series in 2008 against Australia. Although the centuries Kohli has converted him to have a handicap, the consistency and his years cannot be ignored in the case of Tendulkar.
3. Virat Kohli vs Sachin Tendulkar Who is more successful in ODI wins in Australia?
Kohli has helped India to win in Australia with 671 runs in 12 games of victory with an average score of 67.10. He has hit three hundred and twenty half-centuries in such games, and has made it appear that he is useful in fine pursuits and critical moments.
| Player | Matches | Runs | Average | SR | HS | 100s | 50s |
| Virat Kohli | 12 | 671 | 67.10 | 90.43 | 133* | 3 | 2 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 15 | 771 | 64.25 | 83.44 | 117* | 1 | 5 |
Tendulkar on the other hand has 771 runs in 15 ODIs victories in Australia with an average of 64.25 with a single hundred and five fifties. Though his strike rate of 83.44 is a bit lower as compared to that of Kohli, his performances were against some of the most hostile Australian challenges in history and his performances were equally valuable.
4. Virat Kohli vs Sachin Tendulkar- Who has a greater chase record in ODI in Australia?
Virat Kohli has been a consistent run chaser in Down Under with 817 runs in 18 innings at an average of 51.06 and a strike rate of 92.31. He has logged three centuries and three fifties demonstrating his ability to excel under pressure.
| Player | Matches | Runs | Average | SR | HS | 100s | 50s |
| Virat Kohli | 18 | 817 | 51.06 | 92.31 | 133* | 3 | 3 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 26 | 827 | 34.45 | 81.55 | 117* | 1 | 5 |
In comparison, Tendulkar had made 827 runs in 26 chases with a strike rate of 81.55 and averages of 34.45 with a hundred and five fifties. Although Tendulkar was the mainstay of his time in India, Kohli has the better average and strike rate, making him more successful as a chaser to the Australian climate.
