Former England batsman David Lloyd said Sachin Tendulkar was great but Virat Kohli can cause more damage. Famously known as Bumble, David Lloyd said the Master Blaster was a treat to the eyes.
However, Lloyd likened the current Indian skipper Virat Kohli to the likes to West Indies great Brian Lara and Vivian Richards, who were more aggressive in their batting approach.
Virat Kohli is batting at the top of his game.
Virat Kohli has shown those kinds of skills in his batsmanship. He likes to take the bull by its horns and it has been palpable in his approach. Kohli has scored 440 runs in the six innings in the ongoing series against England. Thus, he has looked the standout batsman.
“Sachin Tendulkar was aesthetically very pleasing, easy on the eye. But if I had to win a game I would have banked on Brian Lara and I see that trait in Kohli. He is a bit like Viv Richards too – he can absolutely dominate an era. Sachin was a great player but Kohli can inflict more damage,” David Lloyd was quoted saying by the Times of India.
Meanwhile, India’s pace battery has shown an upward swing in their improvement graph. Thus, David Lloyd believes Virat Kohli has played his part in polishing the Indian fast bowlers.
“He obviously gets the respect because he is a fabulous player, but you can see that the emotion apart, he is very honest with his players as well. There’s been a massive turnaround in this Indian team in the way quick bowlers have taken over completely and I feel Kohli is the perfect man to develop them. He looks a natural leader”.
Kohli likes to give his 120%.
Lloyd went on to reveal the two sides of Virat Kohli. The Indian skipper is polite while he is off the field. On the other hand, he likes to be in the contest from ball one as he is the most passionate players.
“Kohli is such a broadcaster’s delight, he goes through every emotion on the field. I have met him outside cricket too, he is so polite, but on the field, he is so animated and it’s impossible to take the camera off him,” he continued.
Meanwhile, only one team has come back to win a five-match Test series after going down in the first two Test matches – which was Bradman’s team. However, David Lloyd hasn’t ruled out Kohli’s men out of the race.
“Well, no other team but for Don Bradman’s 1936 side has done it…So it will be difficult. But in England this season, teams getting 300 should be in a position to win and I believe India would be in the game,” he added.
India was able to get one back in the Trent Bridge Test. Can they make it even at Aegis Bowl, Southampton?