Every cricket fan relishes a good comparison, and it’s even more enticing when we compare players such as Smriti Mandhana and Virat Kohli. One is the dapper left-hander redefining the stereotype of women’s cricket; the other is the modern-day chase master making headlines with breathtaking innings. Both made their debuts at a young age, both are prodigy-turned-superstars, and both know how to get a crowd to its feet. But one big question remains – how do Mandhana and Kohli stack up against each other after their 108th ODI matches? There are some fascinating statistics, and there might even be a few surprise storylines.
Runs and Averages – Neck and Neck
Start with the fundamentals: runs and averages. In 108 ODIs, Mandhana has amassed 4,888 runs at 47.92, just ahead of Kohli’s record of 4,378 runs at 48.64 in a similar amount of time. That’s right, she has more runs on her record, but he had a slightly better average.
What is also impressive about her reliability against the best teams. Almost 1,000 runs each against Australia, England, and South Africa, and averaging close to 50 isn’t an easy task. Kohli scored the bulk of his runs against one country, Sri Lanka, scoring 1,479 runs in 34 matches. That is great, but being dependent on one country is better.
Hundreds and Big Knocks – Who Loves the Spotlight More?
Centuries are what fans remember, and both Mandhana and Kohli have delivered plenty by the 108-match mark. Mandhana sits at 13 ODI hundreds and 32 fifties, while Kohli has 14 tons and 23 fifties. That’s nearly identical!
If you really zoom in, there’s a tiny difference. Mandhana’s highest score is 136 batting against South Africa, while Kohli’s highest score is a staggering 183 against Pakistan. Much like Kohli, Mandhana likes looking for her best scores when playing her biggest opponents; however, he started hitting his high scores in the biggest pressure games against opponents she knew both were playing against. Mandhana visibly enjoys playing against Australia, as she has 4 hundreds against Australia. That says a lot about her temperament and high-pressure deliveries.
The Chase Game – Who Owns the Pressure?
Now to the heart of the debate: chasing. Kohli’s reputation as the “chase master” is legendary, but Mandhana’s numbers here are shockingly strong.
In 46 matches batting second, she has 2,230 runs at 55.75 with five tons. Kohli, in 61 chases by this stage, had 2,732 runs at 58.12 with eight centuries. The parallels are almost spooky. Both average more while chasing than batting first, showing how much they thrive under pressure.
And as far as wins go, Mandhana has 3,509 runs at 59.47—a fair bit worse than Kohli at 3,296 runs at 64.62. But almost exact. The one big difference? Kohli had a penchant for finishing games with hundreds, whereas Mandhana occasionally gets on the losing side in all her heroics.
Overall, Mandhana isn’t so much emulating Kohli, but she’s earning a place in history as India’s chase queen.
FAQs
- Who has more runs after 108 ODIs, Smriti Mandhana or Virat Kohli?
Smriti Mandhana has 4,888 runs, while Virat Kohli has 4,378 runs at the same stage.
- Who has more centuries after 108 ODIs?
Virat Kohli had 14 centuries, while Smriti Mandhana has 13.
- Who has the faster ODI hundred between Mandhana and Kohli?
Mandhana holds the record with a 50-ball century, faster than Kohli’s 52-ball ton.
