Virat Kohli Says It Is 'Embarrassing' To Be Compared with Sachin Tendulkar

Virat Kohli's monstrous batting form has been the highlight of Indian Premier League 2016. Royal Challengers Bangalore have been riding Kohli's stunning run as the IPL franchise relentlessly chases a place in the tournament playoffs.

Kohli has broken from one record to another in recent weeks. His partnerships with RCB teammate AB de Villiers have left big teams like Gujarat Lions bamboozled.

Kohli and De Villiers blasted centuries as Royal Challengers Bangalore notched up 248 for three, their highest score in the IPL as they plundered the Gujarat Lions. RCB won the match by a record 144 runs after Kohli scored his third century of the season.

Earlier, Kohli became the first captain to score over 500 runs in three IPL seasons. Sachin Tendulkar did this twice. Comparison with Kohli's idol -- Tendulkar -- has been inevitable.

However, Kohli has chosen to play down any talk that tarnishes Tendulkar's legendary aura.

"It is embarrassing to be honest. It is not fair on him (Tendulkar). He can't be compared to anyone. You are talking about a batsman of a different caliber.

"I have strengthened my game whereas he was born to achieve all that he has. I have been playing well for two years while he served the nation with grace for 24 years.

"He is two levels above anyone else in this generation of batsmen. I am individually inspired by him though I would like to create my own path," said Kohli.

On May 16, Kohli crossed a big IPL milestone. Kohli became the highest run-getter in one edition of the tournament. Before Kohli, Chris Gayle and Michael Hussey had scored 733 runs in a single edition.

Gayle achieved the feat in the 2012 edition for Royal Challengers Bangalore while Hussey achieved it in the 2013 edition for Chennai Super Kings.

The right-handed Kohli became the first Indian to score 700 runs in an edition, with Robin Uthappa's 660 for Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2014 edition being the previous highest.