Clash of titans: Virat Kohli vs AB de Villiers

As the adage goes, it is very much clear to each one of us that ‘Perfection’ is unreal but ‘Excellence’ is not. Since time immemorial, history has witnessed a plethora of cricketers who have caught the imagination of the masses but none of them can be considered an epitome of perfection, neither Sachin Tendulkar nor even Sir Donald Bradman.

The story does not end here as they were unarguably the greatest of their respective eras. In their respective quests to achieve perfection, they reached unparalleled heights of excellence. And along with these two, there are numerous other cricketers who have cemented their places in the pantheon of greats just because of the sheer amount of skills they possessed.

Be it Sir Jack Hobbs or Sir Viv Richards or our own ‘Little Master’ Sunil Gavaskar, each one of them personifies ‘Excellence’. But history, many a time, has seen two great players carry out their exploits in the same era and we can’t help but wonder : Who is better off the two?

These debates may never end but some facts can be drawn out by looking at the numbers the players churn throughout their careers. This is not to disrespect any player. It’s a statistical analysis which draws a conclusion based on pure numbers.

Today is the day when we will be comparing two of the modern-day greats, Abraham Benjamin de Villiers and aggression personified Virat Kohli.

(While comparing, performances only in a certain time period will be considered. In this case, the time period is from 1 January 2014- 12 September 2016)

Let’s do it!

T20Is:

Stats 1 Jan 2014 – 12 Sept 2016

Nobody would get any brownie points for guessing who is gonna take this round home? Virat Kohli has been beyond enthralling in T20Is since 2014. He has shown levels of consistency like no other batsman has ever shown in this particular format and the Bradmanesque average is a testament to his excellence. Add 2 Man of the Tournament awards in the 2014 and the 2016 T20 World Cups, and ABD stands no chance.

Though ABD is a class act and simply unstoppable if he gets going but this round belongs to Virat fair and square.

Virat- 1 ABD- 0

ODIs:

Stats 1 Jan 2014-12 Sept 2016

This is the tougher part. While Virat is often hailed as one of the greatest chasers to have played the game, AB de Villiers is as entertaining as a certain Chris Gayle but with lots of scoop shots, ramp shots and an unprecedented level of consistency.

AB’s thrilling strike rate of 120.12 even puts Virat’s strike rate of 92.91 to shame. And this is the part where he edges him to clinch this round. The mauling of the West Indian bowling line-up has also supported AB’s cause.

P.S. to Viratians – I know you might argue that Virat is better 2^nd innings player and his contribution in matches won is unmatchable. Here’s a stat: In matches won while batting second during the relevant time-period, Virat averages an impressive 82.00 in 12 matches with 2 centuries to his name but ABD averages an *no adjective capable of qualifying* 233.50 in 9 matches with 2 centuries to his name.

Here’s a stat: In matches won while batting second during the relevant time-period, Virat averages an impressive 82.00 in 12 matches with 2 centuries to his name but ABD averages an *no adjective capable of qualifying* 233.50 in 9 matches with 2 centuries to his name.

Virat- 1 AB de Villiers- 1

Tests:

Stats 1 Jan 2014-12 Sept 2016

De Villiers has been a wonderful player in the longest format of the game but his performances in recent years have depleted. His career average is 50.46 but since the past two and a half years, his averages just 44.53. In those 17 matches that he has played during the designated time period, he has three centuries to his name. Out of those three, only one hundred has been against a nation other than West Indies, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.

Virat burst onto the international scene as a limited-overs prodigy in 2009. In 2011, he first broke into the Test team only to be dropped but he has been a regular since 2012 and has improved leaps and bounds. During this period, he has tormented each opposition that he has played against except the Brits. He has, to his name, 7 centuries out of which 6 are against nations other than West Indies, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.

Going by pure numbers, Virat Kohli takes this round even though their stats in the longest format don’t justify the immense talent they possess. After all, we expect more from men who average 50+ in ODIs.

Virat- 2 ABD- 1

Performances overseas:

Stats 1 Jan 2014-12 Sept 2016 (All international matches played overseas)

The real test of character and grit in adverse and unknown conditions. And the attribute of performing in testing condition is what separates that legend from the greats.

One glance at their stats in overseas conditions and we know why they are so highly rated. They both average 50+ but Virat marginally fares better but what prompts me to give Virat this round is the sheer number of centuries that he has scored during his time overseas, double than that of ABD’s.

This round goes to Virat.

Virat- 3 ABD- 1

Individual accolades:

Though cricket is a team sport, individual accolades are determinant in a player’s success. To draw an analogy, Lionel Messi would not have been considered the best had he not won 5 Ballon D’Or awards.

Between 2014 and 2016, Virat Kohli has won 11 Man of the Match awards in international cricket whereas ABD has won 13. Close enough?

During the same time, Kohli has 4 Man of the Series awards to his name while ABD has just one.

Just because of those extra 3 MoS awards, Virat takes this round.

Virat- 4 ABD- 1

Conclusion:

Though each player is unique and special in his own way, but sometimes one tends to overshadow his contemporaries to achieve ultimate glory. In this case, going by pure numbers, Virat has overshadowed ABD to come out as the victor.

Virat Kohli – 4   AB de Villiers -1