India, Sept. 28 -- Virat Kohli has played down comparisons between himself and Sachin Tendulkar, reiterating that what the Master Blaster did for the game during his 24-year career will always remain special. Kohli has been compared to Tendulkar for over a decade, and with every passing record, the debate only grows stronger. Around 2017, Kohli first spoke about the comparisons, saying his skill level was no match for Tendulkar. Nine years later, his stance remains unchanged. Kohli may have overtaken Tendulkar for the most ODI centuries, but that has done little to diminish his admiration for the man who inspired a generation of cricketers.

"For me, Sachin paaji is always going to be Sachin paaji. MS Dhoni is always going to be MS Dhoni ...