Former Indian Test opener Sadagopan Ramesh has showered praise on Virat Kohli for breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record after India’s eight-wicket win in the first ODI against the West Indies on Sunday. Kohli scored a magnificent knock of 139 runs off just 88 balls with the help of 10 fours and nine sixes at a strike rate of 157.95. He added 151 runs with skipper Shubman Gill to put in a commanding position in the run-chase of 296.

The veteran also became the second batter after Sachin Tendulkar to complete 15000 ODI runs and he got to the milestone in 74 innings quicker than the Master Blaster. This was Kohli’s 55th ODI century and his 86th International ton.

Sadagopan Ramesh said on Instagram handle, “Kohli has reached this mark in 74 fewer innings than Sachin Tendulkar and also in 263 overs fewer. For the same 15,000 runs, Virat has played 1,578 fewer balls than Tendulkar. Even if we keep a single per ball, Virat would be 1,500 to 2,000 runs ahead of Tendulkar.”

The former flamboyant batter pointed out that Kohli scores a century after every sixth ODI innings, which is just sensational.

“Even with all the talk of him being out of form for two to three years in the middle, he scores an ODI century every sixth innings through his career, which is next level. And his average is 59 with 15,000 runs, which is just extraordinary,” said Ramesh (via the aforementioned source).

Kohli has scored 55 ODI centuries in 303 innings. He has always performed consistently in the 50-over format and his record speak for itself.

The second ODI between India and the West Indies will be played at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, on Wednesday.