MS Dhoni resolves the evolving Sachin Tendulkar vs Virat Kohli debate, once and for all

New Delhi: Soon after Virat Kohli registered an emphatic 154-run knock against New Zealand in 3rd ODI, the impending debate about whether the Indian Test captain will break the great Sachin Tendulkar's records started off.

In terms of batting second, Kohli (16) is now ranked second, after Sachin Tendulkar (17), who still owns the record for hitting maximum centuries while chasing.

There are many other records of Sachin that Virat looks set to beat sooner rather than later.

In the post match conference, Indian ODI skipper MS Dhoni probably would have expected to be at the center of this debate.

Calling Virat Kohli one of the best in the world, India's limited overs captain Mahi said the Delhi dazzler's biggest advantage is that he has the ability to maintain a good strike rate without taking risks.

"I can comment on how good he (Kohli) is, how consistent he is. He is certainly amongst the best. One great thing about him is that he maintains a good strike rate even without playing high risk shots," said Dhoni.

Asked whether Kohli was one of the greatest cricketers he has played with, Dhoni said it was unfair to compare players of different eras.

"All I can say I batting with Virat is great. He helps in building partnerships. He is fantastic. Our biggest problem in the cricket fraternity is that we try to compare. How cricket is played has changed drastically. We can't compare a Sehwag with a Gavaskar. Even approach in a Test match has changed a lot. It is unfair to compare."

Kohli's 134-ball knock was ably complemented by an under-pressure skipper Dhoni (80 off 91) as the duo forged a 151-run partnership off 163 balls to effectively seal the match with 10 balls to spare after the home team made a shaky start in their pursuit of 286.

Earlier, during the post-match presentation ceremony, Dhoni had lauded his in-form vice-captain saying: "Right from the start, he is somebody who always wanted to improve to win games for India. He is somebody who has learnt a lot and he is somebody who knows his strengths really well. It's very difficult to say what the top level is in cricket, but Kohli has done India proud."

(With PTI inputs)