For decades, Sachin Tendulkar has been worshipped as the “God of Cricket” for his extraordinary batting, unmatched records, and global impact. But cricket has moved forward, and the question now is — who is the new God of Cricket in today’s era?
From Virat Kohli’s unmatched consistency, Rohit Sharma’s six-hitting power, Chris Gayle’s T20 domination, to Rashid Khan’s world-class bowling, cricket fans across the world now debate who deserves the crown across formats like Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
1. Virat Kohli – The Strongest Contender for the New God of Cricket
Virat Kohli has already achieved what many thought impossible. He has surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s ODI centuries record (51) and has more than 27,500 international runs with 82 centuries.
Key Highlights:
- Formats: Test, ODI, T20I (over 550 matches played).
- Major ICC Titles: U19 World Cup (2008), ODI World Cup (2011), Champions Trophy (2013), T20 World Cup (2024), Champions Trophy (2025).
- Strengths: Consistency, chasing ability, adaptability across all conditions.
- Legacy: Second only to Sachin Tendulkar in terms of global worship and already hailed by many as the “Second God of Cricket.”
| Format | Matches | Runs | 100s | Average | Highest Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 123 | 9,230 | 30 | 46.85 | 254* |
| ODIs | 302 | 14,181 | 51 | 57.88 | 183 |
| T20Is | 125 | 4,188 | 1 | 48.69 | 122* |
See Also:- Most Runs in Asia Cup One Season (ODI & T20I)
2. Rohit Sharma – The 2nd God of Cricket?
Rohit Sharma is often called the “Hitman” for his ability to smash sixes with elegance. After leading India to the 2024 T20 World Cup victory, many fans started calling him the Second God of Cricket.
Key Highlights:
- Most T20I Sixes: Over 190.
- ODI Records: Only player with three double centuries; highest individual ODI score – 264 runs.
- Captaincy Glory: Led India to multiple ICC titles including the T20 World Cup 2024.
- Longevity: Over 19,700 international runs with 49 centuries.
| Format | Matches | Runs | 100s | 50s | Highest Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 67 | 4,301 | 12 | 18 | 212 |
| ODIs | 273 | 11,168 | 32 | 58 | 264 |
| T20Is | 159 | 4,231 | 5 | 32 | 121* |
His clean hitting and calm captaincy make him a strong contender for the title of India’s T20 God.
3. Chris Gayle – The God of T20 Cricket
When it comes to T20 cricket, one name rules above all — Chris Gayle, the self-proclaimed “Universe Boss.” His records are unmatched in franchise and international cricket.
Key Highlights:
- Highest T20 Score: 175* in IPL.
- Most T20 Centuries: 22.
- Most T20 Runs: Over 14,500.
- Six-Hitting Beast: First to cross 1000 T20 sixes.
- T20 World Cup Wins: Two (2009, 2012).
Chris Gayle’s dominance across leagues like IPL, CPL, BBL, and PSL makes him the undisputed God of T20 Cricket worldwide.
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4. Rashid Khan – The Spin God of T20s
Unlike others, Rashid Khan has made his mark not with the bat, but with the ball. The Afghan leg-spinner is the face of T20 bowling.
Key Highlights:
- Over 550 wickets in T20s.
- Top-ranked T20 bowler for many years.
- Match-winner in IPL and international cricket.
- Known for deadly googlies, control, and quick strikes.
At just 25 years old, Rashid Khan already has records that suggest he could one day be remembered as the God of Spin in T20 cricket.
Other Contenders in the Debate
- Joe Root: Dominance in Test cricket with 13,000+ runs.
- Steve Smith: Fastest to 8,000 Test runs and multiple ICC trophies.
- Kane Williamson: Most runs for New Zealand, calm leadership, member of the “Fab 4.”
These legends shine in their formats, but when it comes to the overall title, Kohli and Rohit lead the race.
Who is the New God of Cricket?
- All Formats (World Cricket): Virat Kohli – unmatched consistency and records.
- Second God of Cricket: Rohit Sharma – power hitting and captaincy success.
- T20 God (World): Chris Gayle – dominance in global leagues.
- T20 Spin God: Rashid Khan – revolutionized spin in shortest format.
Read Also:- Godfather of Cricket: Who Holds the Title, History
Conclusion
The title of “God of Cricket” is not easy to earn. Sachin Tendulkar will always remain the original God, but today’s cricket has its own deities. With Virat Kohli leading globally, Rohit Sharma rising as the second God, Chris Gayle ruling T20s, and Rashid Khan mastering spin, cricket continues to thrive with legends shaping the future.
The journey is ongoing, and while records may change, these names will be remembered as the icons who defined cricket’s modern era.
