Shane Warne Calls Virat Kohli the Greatest ODI Batsmen of All Time

Former Australia great Shane Warne had his say on the never-ending debate on whether current India skipper Virat Kohli is as good or better than the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. The brand ambassador of Rajasthan Royals in the IPL stated that both batsmen are greats and he would not wish to bowl to either of the Indian batsmen.

During an exclusive interaction with IANS, Shane Warne stated that while Viv Richards was the best ODI batsman he has seen, he would give a statement on Kohli once the current skipper’s career is done. Rajasthan Royals is currently preparing for the IPL and Shane Warne has always been an integral part of the squad be it as a captain, coach, mentor or an ambassador.

Warne said that he would rather prefer to bowl to a someone like South African Daryll Cullinan who was known to be Warne’s bunny during their playing days. Warne stated that during the mid 90’s both Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar were at their exceptional best and was a class above their peers.

“Sachin in the mid-90s and also Brian Lara in the mid-90s were a class above everyone else. Not so much in the later half of their careers, but in that phase of four to five years from 1994-95 they were just a class above.

“Virat and Sachin are two completely different players altogether, but they are greats. None (I would wish to bowl to) actually (Warne laughs). To me both are terrific players, I couldn’t chose one,” he said.

Warne further added that Don Bradman was the best batsman in the world and that is an acceptable decision. For Warne, the two best ODI batsmen are Viv Richards and Virat Kohli. He is a champion batsman and his record in the 50 overs format is simply insane.

“To me, we all know Don Bradman was the best batsman and that is unanimous. Outside that, to me Viv Richards was the best player I saw. I would rather bowl to someone else. Bring me Cullinan to bowl to, he is easy.

“To me the best ODI batsman I have seen would be Viv and Virat. Virat’s record is just insane — that how good he is. It is just so hard to judge a player when he is playing,” he added.

Shane Warne had once told that he had nightmares Sachin Tendulkar dancing down the track and hitting him back over the head for a six. However, he revealed a few days ago that he doesn’t have nightmares of Sachin anymore. While Sachin Tendulkar was definitely the best batsman of his generation, Virat Kohli might up reached a level above already in his short career courtesy his immaculate record especially in the 50 overs format.