Mark Taylor, former Australian skipper believes current India skipper in form batsman Virat Kohli is a mighty guy in world cricket who does an excellent job of being a statesman as well as an aggressive cricketer.
Following the pink-ball Test, which will be played from December 17 to 21 in Adelaide during the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in the 4 match Test series, Virat Kohli will return to India to be with wife Anushka Sharma who is expecting their first baby in January.
Mark Taylor: Virat Kohli Is Powerful Guy
However, Virat Kohli will take part in the limited-overs leg of the tour, which consists of three ODIs and as many T20Is starting from November 27.
“I think he is a very powerful guy in world cricket, but I think he does a very good job to walk that fine line in being an aggressive cricketer and also a statesman. I think he’s doing it very well,” Taylor was quoted as saying by The Sydney Morning Herald.
Mark Taylor accepts the notion that the talismanic Indian batsman could be the most powerful figure in the game ever, which is a title that sits well with Virat Kohli who treats responsibility with great respect.
“I think he treats that responsibility with great respect,” the former Australia skipper said. “He’s still very much his own person when you watch him play.”
“I’ve always found him in the times I’ve spoken to him to be very respectful to the game and those playing it and those who have played it,” he added.
Virat Kohli has featured in 86 Tests, 248 ODIs and 82 T20Is where he averages more than 50 in each format. He has already scored 27 Test and 43 ODI centuries totalling 70 which is second best to Sachin Tendulkar who retired with exactly 100 centuries.
Virat Kohli Is Probably Best Player Seen In My Life: Justin Langer
Recently, current Australia head coach Justin Langer termed Virat Kohli as “probably the best player” he has seen in his life.
“Virat Kohli is probably the best player I’ve ever seen in my life for so many reasons, not only batting but his energy and passion for the game, the way he fields,” Justin Langer said.
He also hailed Virat Kohli’s decision to leave the series mid-way to be with his wife.
“I cannot believe he displays the energy he does in everything he does and I’ve got so much respect for him. I’ve also got respect for him in the sense that he’s made this decision (to return for the birth),” Langer said.
“He’s a human being like all of us… if I was giving advice to any of my players I would always say never, ever miss the birth of your children because it is one of the great things you’ll ever do,” he added.
Virat Kohli led Indian team won their maiden test series in Australia in 2018-2019 the last time India toured Australia, but the hosts were without David Warner. Steven Smith, both of whom were serving a year-long ban for involvement in ball-tampering.