Cricket is a game that creates passion and unites people globally, particularly in India. For many years, Sachin Tendulkar held the “God of Cricket” title for his amazing skills and remarkable consistency. As cricket emerged, fans and professionals started debating about who might become the New God of Cricket in the contemporary era. Some cricketers appear to be the new gods of cricket. In this blog, we will get to know about the top cricketers, their achievements, and who they are aligned with in the list of being the new god of cricket.
Legacy of Sachin Tendulkar: God of Cricket
Before knowing about the new god of cricket, it is important to appreciate Sachin Tendulkar (The Original God of Cricket), the Master Blaster regarded as the God of Cricket. Sachin is the only cricketer to score 100 international centuries and more than 34,000 international runs. His aura, charisma, as well as consistency in various formats set the criteria that motivated generations. Even in the current time, Sachin Tendulkar is regarded as a cricket legend. His impact on the game and his abilities have kept his name etched in the memories of cricket fans.
Standard Criteria to be the New God of Cricket
Winning the title of “God of Cricket” in today’s times is a big challenge, as cricket is played internationally with higher competition. There are some of the standard criteria given below to be the New god of Cricket:
Continuous High-level Performance: A cricket player must give consistent high-performance in all formats, like Test, ODI, and T20, for years.
Dominant in all Formats: Giving amazing scores in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, across all formats of cricket, transforming to various situations and pitches globally.
Record-Breaking Achievements: Breaking the highest records that left a permanent presence in the minds of people is one of the standard criteria.
Huge Popularity: Fan following and impact beyond cricket on social media and brand value play an important role in coming under the criteria of the New God of Cricket.
Leadership: Having leadership qualities such as being accountable, collaborative, and resilient, as well as being someone who leads the team smoothly.
Creation of Legacy: Motivating and inspiring the upcoming generations of cricket players, for example, Sachin Tendulkar, who has left his mark on the minds of people whenever cricket arises. So, creating a legacy is another important criterion.
Top 3 Contenders: New God of Cricket
Let’s talk about the Top five contenders globally who are the New God of Cricket. Given below is presented:
1. Virat Kohli (India)
Virat Kohli ranks first to be the new God of cricket for his brilliant game for many years. He has scored more than 50 centuries in ODI cricket. He became only the second player to play 100 matches in all formats and has given remarkable performances across formats. India’s most favourite batsman, Virat Kohli, has filled his cabinet with various trophies, such as the ICC U-19 World Cup(2008), the ICC ODI World Cup(2011), the ICC T20 World Cup(2024), the ICC Champions Trophy(2013, 2025), the ICC Test Mace(2016-2020), as well as the IPL trophy for RCB in 2025 (Royal Challengers Bengaluru).
If we talk about the international career, he has played over 550 international matches and has scored more than 27,000 runs, as well as 82 centuries. He is a serious contender to become the new god of cricket.
| Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 50s | 100s | H.S. |
| Test | 123 | 210 | 9,230 | 46.85 | 55.57 | 31 | 30 | 254* |
| ODI | 305 | 293 | 14,255 | 57.71 | 93.26 | 75 | 51 | 183 |
| T20I | 125 | 117 | 4,188 | 48.69 | 137.04 | 38 | 1 | 122* |
2. Rohit Sharma (India)
Rohit Sharma (Indian Opener) ranks second to become the new god of cricket. He started his cricket career by batting at the lower order and was a good finisher. Later, he was given the opening batsman position in the Indian cricket team. He is recognised for his power hitting and popular pull shot.
Rohit is the prominent run scorer for India in men’s T20 Internationals, scoring 4231 runs, despite retiring from the format. He has played this format for 16 years, making him one of the best T20 batsman across the world. He has scored a double-century in ODIs 3 times in his career, he also holds the record for highest score in ODI history(264 runs). In his international career, he has played over 500 international matches and scored over 19,900 runs and 50 centuries.
| Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 50s | 100s | H.S. |
| Test | 67 | 116 | 4,301 | 40.57 | 57.05 | 18 | 12 | 212 |
| ODI | 276 | 268 | 11,370 | 49.22 | 92.66 | 59 | 33 | 264 |
| T20I | 159 | 151 | 4,231 | 32.05 | 140.89 | 32 | 5 | 121* |
3. Joe Root (England)
Joe Root is the former England Captain, standing in the third position to become the new god of cricket. He started his cricket career as a middle-order batsman and went ahead in that batting position by scoring most runs for England. Joe Root is one of the best test batsman globally who has scored more than 13,000 runs and scored 39 centuries in test cricket. In Test matches, he the second-highest run scorer in the history, only behind Sachin Tendulkar.
He is also a part of Fab 4 and one of the best batsmen for the England cricket team for many years. In his international career, he has played 376 matches and has scored more than 21,000 runs, as well as scored 58 centuries. He has been doing excellently in the longest format of cricket, which makes him the perfect candidate for the next god of cricket.
| Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 50s | 100s | H.S. |
| Test | 158 | 288 | 13,543 | 51.29 | 57.49 | 66 | 39 | 262 |
| ODI | 186 | 175 | 7,330 | 48.54 | 87.65 | 43 | 19 | 166* |
| T20I | 32 | 30 | 893 | 35.72 | 126.3 | 5 | 0 | 90* |
Comparison of Indian Legends: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
Now, there is always an ongoing debate among cricket fans about who is the best player between Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. So, given below is the comparison between both players and who is expected to be the New God of Cricket after Sachin Tendulkar. Let’s see below:
| Feature | Virat Kohli | Rohit Sharma |
| Matches Played | 550+ | 500+ |
| Runs | 27,500+ | 19,900+ |
| Centuries | 82 | 50 |
| Batting Style | Classic, Aggressive & Consistent | Elegant power hitter |
| Formats Dominated | Test, ODI, T20I | ODI, T20I, evolving Test career |
| Key Records | Most ODI centuries, All-format records | Most T20 sixes, 3 ODI double centuries |
| Major ICC Titles | Multiple (U19 WC, OD WC, T20 WC etc.) | Multiple (T20 WC, Champions Trophy) |
| Fan Following | 390+ Million | 88+ Million |
Conclusion
The title of the “New God of Cricket” is competitive. Virat Kohli’s unmatched consistency, Rohit Sharma’s elegant batting, and Joe Root’s incredible hunger for runs have made them the perfect candidate for the next God of Cricket after the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. Cricket continues to emerge with these cricket legends and form its future.
Article Code: Srv-CBR-59