Debates surrounding the “greatest of all time” are inevitable in any sport. In cricket, with its three distinct formats—Test, One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and T20s—the discussion becomes even more layered. Former Australian World Cup-winning captain Steve Waugh has attempted to end that debate, at least for one format. However, as cricket fans know, such discussions are never truly settled.
According to Waugh, Virat Kohli may well be the greatest ODI cricketer in history. His statement, unsurprisingly, has sparked widespread discussion and analytical debate, with arguments both for and against. Supporters of Kohli will point to his unmatched records and consistency, while others will highlight rival legends. As Waugh himself might admit, this ongoing debate is part of what makes cricket so fascinating.
The comments came after India defeated Australia by 48 runs in the fourth T20 International at the Carrara Oval, Gold Coast, on Wednesday. Despite losing the ODI series 2–1, India now lead the five-match T20 series 2–1. Waugh, who was present at the venue, remarked that it would have been wonderful for the spectators to see Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in action there. However, both Indian stalwarts have retired from T20 Internationals. To date, Carrara Oval has hosted only three men’s international matches—all T20s—limiting the local crowd’s opportunity to witness the sport’s biggest stars live. This perhaps explains Waugh’s sentiment.
Speaking to the media, the 60-year-old said:
“Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are both among the all-time greats. Kohli is probably the best ODI player ever. People love watching them wherever they go. The fans in Gold Coast would have been thrilled to see them play, but it’s not always possible for them to feature in every match.”
Both Rohit and Kohli participated in the ODI series against Australia—the only international format they still play. After scoring back-to-back ducks in the first two matches, Kohli bounced back in the third and final ODI alongside Rohit. India secured a resounding nine-wicket victory, with Rohit scoring a magnificent 121 and Kohli contributing a solid 74. The series also marked the international comeback of the veteran duo—Rohit, aged 38, and Kohli, 37—following their Champions Trophy triumph in March. They have since retired from Tests and stepped away from T20Is after India’s T20 World Cup victory last July.
Kohli’s Outstanding ODI Career Statistics
| Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Centuries | Highest ODI Runs Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar | 463 | 452 | 18,426 | 49 | 1 |
| Virat Kohli | 292 | 293 | 14,255 | 51 | 2 |
| Kumar Sangakkara | 404 | 380 | 14,234 | 25 | 3 |
In surpassing Tendulkar’s record of 49 centuries, Kohli has established himself as the only player with over 50 ODI hundreds. He now trails only Tendulkar in total ODI runs, having overtaken Kumar Sangakkara during the recent series against Australia.
Given these statistics—and his unmatched consistency over a decade—Steve Waugh’s assessment of Kohli as “possibly the greatest ODI player ever” may not be far from the truth.