Former Australian batting great Greg Chappell is all of praises for Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli saying he is the “most Australian non-Australian cricketer of all time.” The former Indian coach also feels that there is stiff competition among Kane Williamson, Steve Smith, and Virat Kohli for claiming the title of the batsman of this era.
Former Indian coach talks about Virat Kohli
Chappell invoked Mahatma Gandhi before crediting Kohli’s intensity for bringing about a pattern shift in Indian cricket. Many previous Indian cricket teams tended to play with all respect to their opponents, as if in accord with the Gandhian principle.
Sourav Ganguly was the first Indian captain to try to change that approach. It worked to a degree in India, but usually hit a hurdle overseas,” Chappell wrote in Sydney Morning Herald.
“Virat Kohli does not believe in passive resistance. He is a proponent of all-out aggression. His idea is to dominate the opposition.
“Kohli is the most Australian non-Australian cricketer of all time. He embodies the new India. As the premier player and captain of the world’s pre-eminent cricket power, he feels an abiding responsibility to the wider game.”
India takes on Australia in a much-awaited four-match Test series from December 17 but their talisman will return home after the first game for the birth of his first child.
“The fact that Kohli champions Test cricket is a huge plus for a format under pressure for time and space in a crowded schedule,” Chappell said
Greg Chappell also believes that Smith is a little ahead of Kohli statistically but it would be an impossible task for any cricket pundit to answer who is better between Kohli and Smith.
“His response to the Indian supporters who booed Steve Smith at The Oval during the 2019 World Cup was illuminating and heartening. The brash youngster had morphed into a senior statesman.”
“Steve Smith and Kane Williamson with Virat Kohli for the mantle of the best batsman of their era. Smith holds a handy lead statistically, but it would be a brave pundit who would split them. Kohli, though, is the most important one in the context of world cricket.” Chappell concluded.
India will play their first pink ball test against Australia 17th Dec, tomorrow morning 9:30 am IST.
