Bowling legend Shane Warne has called Virat Kohli the best batsman in the world. The India skipper was in sensational form in 2016, amassing 2595 international runs. Against England, he scored a mind-boggling 892 runs during the full-fledged series including 655 in four Test matches. The 28-year-old also became the first batsman to score double centuries in four consecutive series after scoring a double ton against Bangladesh in the one-off Test earlier this month.
And Warne, while placing Kohli above his contemporaries, said that the 28-year old is a mix of batting greats like Vivian Richards, Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara.
“Virat Kohli is the number one batsman in the world. It is uncanny how he has scored so many international hundreds and so quickly. He has the swag of Viv Richards, he is like Tendulkar or Lara. I am a big fan of his and love watching him. He is a bit of a mongrel as a captain and aggressive too and I love that about him. He is different,” Warne said.
The former Australia star tipped India to win the four-match Test series against Australia. The Indian team is unbeaten in their last 19 Test matches and Warne said defeating India in their own backyard is very difficult.
“India are huge favourites in the upcoming series. They have had a remarkable run and are always difficult to beat at home. We won against them in 2004 but after that we have failed to repeat the same. Australia nowadays rely on too few which is a bit of a problem. There is too much reliance on Steve Smith and David Warner and this series will be an opportunity for the others to step up,” said Warne who picked 708 Test and 293 ODI wickets in an illustrious 15-year-old career.
At the same time, he also predicted a closely-fought series. The Australians have endured a torrid time in the sub-continent in the last one decade or so but Warne is confident that his country can give the world number one team a run for the money.
“The series is going to be very close than what people think. Australia have to go in with an attacking mindset. This will be the sort of series where you need to attack. There is a risk of being bowled and losing but the best chance is to attack,” he concluded.