King of cricket is a title that sparks endless debates among cricket fans worldwide, with passionate arguments supporting different legends who have dominated the sport across various eras. While some call Virat Kohli the modern king of cricket for his consistency and record-breaking performances, others believe Sir Donald Bradman deserves the crown for his unmatched 99.94 Test average, and many still consider Sachin Tendulkar as the ultimate legend. Understanding who truly deserves to be called the king of cricket requires looking at records, achievements, and impact on the game across different formats and eras.
Whether you support Kohli, Bradman, Sachin, or another cricket legend, knowing about the king of cricket candidates makes watching and betting on cricket with RP Exchange more exciting. Let’s explore why different players claim this prestigious title and what makes them special.
Virat Kohli – The Modern King of Cricket
Virat Kohli from India is widely recognized as the current king of cricket due to his extraordinary consistency and record-breaking performances across all three formats. Born on November 5, 1988, in Delhi, Kohli’s journey to becoming the king of cricket started when he led India to victory in the Under-19 World Cup in 2008.
Why Virat Kohli is Called King of Cricket
Kohli earned the king of cricket title through these amazing achievements:
| Record | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Most ODI Centuries | 51 centuries (surpassed Sachin’s 49) |
| ODI Chasing Master | 28 centuries while chasing (most ever) |
| Fastest ODI Milestones | Fastest to 8,000-14,000 runs |
| 2023 World Cup | 765 runs (most in single edition) |
| T20 World Cup | Top run-scorer in history (1,000+ runs) |
| International Centuries | 82 total (2nd only to Sachin) |
| All-Format Average | Nearly 50 in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is |
| Test Captain | 40 wins in 68 matches as India captain |
Virat Kohli’s Complete Stats
Tests: 9,230 runs in 123 matches at 46.85 average
ODIs: 14,085 runs in 299 matches at 58.20 average
T20Is: 4,188 runs in 125 matches at 48.70 average (retired)
Kohli’s fitness, work ethic, and ability to chase totals make him the king of cricket in modern times. He’s the only cricketer to average nearly 50 across all three formats, showing his dominance everywhere.
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Sir Donald Bradman – The Greatest Batting Average Ever
When discussing who is the king of cricket, Sir Donald Bradman from Australia cannot be ignored. Many consider “The Don” as the greatest batsman of all time due to his incredible Test average of 99.94 – a record that seems impossible to break.
Don Bradman’s Legendary Stats
| Career Details | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Years Active | 1928-1948 |
| Test Matches | 52 matches |
| Test Runs | 6,996 runs |
| Batting Average | 99.94 (unmatched) |
| Strike Rate | 71.41 (amazing for that era) |
| Centuries | 29 centuries |
Why Bradman Could Be King of Cricket
Unbeatable Average – His 99.94 average is nearly 40 runs higher than most legends
Dominance in Era – He played against tough bowling without modern equipment
Convert Starts – He turned 29 out of 42 fifty-plus scores into centuries
Quick Scoring – His strike rate was revolutionary for the 1930s-40s
Many cricket experts believe if Bradman played today with modern bats and training, his records would be even more incredible. In BBC’s poll for greatest cricketer of all time, Bradman finished first.
Sachin Tendulkar – The God of Cricket
Sachin Tendulkar, known as the “God of Cricket,” is another strong candidate for king of cricket based on his 24-year career and countless records. Playing from 1989 to 2013, Sachin carried Indian cricket on his shoulders for decades.
Sachin Tendulkar’s Career Achievements
| Record | Details |
|---|---|
| Years Active | 1989-2013 (24 years) |
| Test Runs | 15,921 runs at 53.78 average |
| ODI Runs | 18,426 runs at 44.83 average |
| Total International Runs | 34,357 runs (most ever) |
| International Centuries | 100 centuries (first to achieve) |
| World Cup Runs | Most runs in World Cup history |
Why Sachin Deserves King of Cricket Title
Longevity – Played at highest level for 24 years across all formats
Tough Era – Faced legends like Wasim Akram, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne
Most Runs Ever – Holds record for most international runs (34,357)
100 Centuries – First player to score 100 international centuries
Inspiration – Inspired billions and carried India’s hopes alone for years
Shane Warne, the legendary spinner, said there will “only be one Sachin Tendulkar” and rated him above Virat Kohli, calling Sachin’s 1994-98 period the best batting he ever saw.
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Other Contenders for King of Cricket
Besides the top three, several other legends deserve mention in the king of cricket debate:
Sir Garfield Sobers
The West Indian all-rounder is considered one of the greatest all-rounders ever:
- First to hit six sixes in an over
- Held highest Test score (365*) for decades
- Excellent batsman, bowler, and fielder in one player
Imran Khan
Pakistan’s World Cup-winning captain:
- Led Pakistan to 1992 World Cup victory
- 3,800+ runs and 362 wickets in Tests
- Great leader who transformed Pakistan cricket
Jacques Kallis
South Africa’s greatest all-rounder:
- Over 10,000 runs and 200 wickets in both Tests and ODIs
- Most Test centuries by a South African
- Most consistent all-rounder in modern cricket
Comparing the Top Three Kings of Cricket
Here’s how the three main king of cricket candidates compare:
| Aspect | Don Bradman | Sachin Tendulkar | Virat Kohli |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test Average | 99.94 | 53.78 | 46.85 |
| ODI Average | Didn’t play ODIs | 44.83 | 58.20 |
| Total Centuries | 29 (Tests only) | 100 (all formats) | 82 (all formats) |
| Years Active | 1928-1948 | 1989-2013 | 2008-present |
| Formats Played | Only Tests | Tests, ODIs | Tests, ODIs, T20Is |
| Strengths | Unbeatable average | Longevity, consistency | Modern dominance, chasing |
Who Really is the King of Cricket?
If you value pure batting average – Don Bradman’s 99.94 makes him untouchable
If you value records and longevity – Sachin Tendulkar’s 24-year career with 100 centuries stands tall
If you value modern dominance – Virat Kohli’s consistency across all formats makes him the current king
Most cricket fans agree that:
- Bradman = Greatest Test batsman ever
- Sachin = God of Cricket (overall legend)
- Kohli = King of modern cricket (current era)
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Why the King of Cricket Debate Continues
Different Eras – Comparing 1930s cricket with 2020s is difficult due to equipment, pitches, and rules changes
Format Evolution – Bradman only played Tests, Sachin played Tests and ODIs, Kohli plays all three formats
Personal Preferences – Fans support players from their own generation and country
Changing Cricket – Modern cricket with T20s and IPL is very different from past eras
Ongoing Careers – Kohli is still playing, so his final records aren’t set yet
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Conclusion
King of cricket is a title that belongs to different legends depending on how you measure greatness. Sir Donald Bradman’s 99.94 average makes him statistically the greatest batsman ever, Sachin Tendulkar’s 24-year career with 100 centuries earned him the “God of Cricket” title, and Virat Kohli’s modern dominance across all formats makes him the current king of cricket.
The truth is, cricket has been blessed with many kings throughout its history, each dominating their era in unique ways. Bradman’s average will likely never be matched, Sachin’s records took 24 years of brilliance, and Kohli continues to set new standards for modern cricketers.
Rather than arguing about who is the one true king of cricket, we should celebrate that the sport has produced multiple legends worthy of the crown. Whether you support Bradman’s statistical dominance, Sachin’s longevity and inspiration, or Kohli’s modern consistency, all three deserve to be called king of cricket for their contributions to the game.
For cricket fans and bettors using RP Exchange, knowing about these king of cricket legends helps you understand the sport’s history and appreciate why current players chase their records. The debate will continue as long as cricket is played, with each generation producing new contenders for the crown!
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FAQs
Who is called the king of cricket?
Virat Kohli is most commonly called the king of cricket in modern times due to his consistency across all formats, 51 ODI centuries, fastest ODI milestones, and near-50 average in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
Why is Virat Kohli the king of cricket?
Kohli is the king of cricket because he holds records for most ODI centuries (51), most centuries while chasing (28), fastest to 8,000-14,000 ODI runs, and is the only player to average nearly 50 across all three formats.
Who has the best batting average in Test cricket?
Sir Donald Bradman has the best batting average in Test cricket at 99.94, which is considered unbeatable and makes him the greatest Test batsman of all time.
Is Sachin Tendulkar the king of cricket?
Sachin Tendulkar is called the "God of Cricket" rather than king. He holds records for most international runs (34,357) and was the first to score 100 international centuries.
Who is better - Sachin Tendulkar or Virat Kohli?
This depends on what you value. Sachin played for 24 years with 100 centuries and most international runs, while Kohli has better ODI average (58.20 vs 44.83) and dominates modern cricket.
What is Virat Kohli's ODI average?
Virat Kohli has an ODI average of 58.20 with 14,085 runs in 299 matches, which is one of the highest averages among players with over 10,000 runs.
How many centuries does Virat Kohli have?
Virat Kohli has 82 international centuries - second only to Sachin Tendulkar's 100. Kohli holds the record for most ODI centuries with 51.
Who is the greatest cricketer of all time?
According to BBC's poll, Sir Donald Bradman is voted the greatest cricketer of all time, followed by Sachin Tendulkar and Sir Garfield Sobers.
Can I bet on cricket matches with RP Exchange?
Yes, RP Exchange provides safe and secure online cricket IDs for betting on all cricket matches including IPL, international games, and tournaments with live odds and 24/7 support.
Who won the most World Cup matches as captain?
Virat Kohli scored the most runs in a single World Cup edition (765 runs in 2023) and led India to multiple series victories as Test captain, including two series wins in Australia.