Virat Kohli was New Zealand's nemesis as his century ensured India led the five-match series 2-1.
AFP
His 154 not out off 134 balls sealed the deal as India chased down 286 with 7 wickets in hand.
The question is now, can he be rated better than Sachin Tendulkar, at least in the ODI format?
Numbers seem to give him an edge. Kohli equalled Sacchin's record for 14 tons in successful run-chases. However, while the Master Blaster took 124 innings, Kohli only needed 59! Yes, 65 less.
AP
Given Kohli's current average of almost 53 is well ahead of Sachin's which was just under 45, one would say the man is more consistent. 26 hundreds in 166 innings means a century every 6.38 innings. Tendulkar's conversion rate was 49 tons in 452 innings meant he scored 3 figures every 9.22 innings. In other words Kohli takes 3 innings less to get a century on a regular basis.
Even the experts are hailing him. Former skipper Sourav Ganguly says the man is 'unreal', bats like no other and his game is an example of the highest skill. Sunil Gavaskar has gone on to say that Kohli's brain functions like a computer and he is already calculating what shot he will play as the ball is being delivered.
Now how much Kohli finishes up with, no one knows. But perhaps for the first ?time, we have a batsman who has been taken with Sachin in the same breath.
AFP
He has the skill, technique and numbers to back him up. Perhaps the only thing left to prove is longevity and stamina. Sachin was around for almost 25 years while Kohli is yet to complete a decade. Time is the best judge in such matters.
For the moment, however, Kohli can bask in the glory of his success as he looks to be a consistent performer in all three formats.