Shane Warne rates Kohli above Sachin Tendulkar
Former Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne has opined that India have a great team that have a real chance of toppling Australia when the Men in Blue tour Australia at the end of this year.
And Warne believes that India have a team with all of their bases covered. There was once a time when India didn’t have brutal pacers but now the story is different, according to Warne, who believes that they have the pace battery to complement the spinners.
"They have an all-round team with all bases covered. Usually, when India used to come to Australia in the past when I was playing, they would struggle on those fast bouncy pitches. Their fast bowling was ok but not as good as their spin. Now we are seeing some of their fast bowlers are as good as any in the world.
“So on those fast bouncy pitches, Virat does not have to concentrate on just spin, they also have some excellent fast bowlers. When things are not happening, they have got reverse swing, pace, they can use short ball and they have their spin and their batting.”
In the absence of David Warner and Steve Smith, India have a real chance of beating Australia in their own backyard – something which makes Shane Warne believe that India are favourites.
“They are a proven side. I think India for the first time especially with no Smith and Warner will go in as favourites in a long time, if not ever against Australia, later in the year."
Warne, who is the mentor of the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League this season, then spoke about India’s tour of England and Virat Kohli’s influence. While he might not have a great time the last time he visited England, Warne believes that the Indian captain will have a great outing this time around.
"India face England first; perhaps the only place which Virat hasn't yet nailed. And I think he will nail England this year. I think Virat will have an unbelievable series in England which will hold him in good stead in Australia also.
“He played beautifully in Australia in the last tour. His knock at Adelaide was nearly match winning. Jeez! He played well. I love to see Virat Kohli play.”
Finally, Warne, who once claimed that he had nightmares of Sachin Tendulkar smashing him all over the park, believes that Virat Kohli does things that even Sachin couldn’t do.
"I think the way Virat plays and you look at his numbers and it's uncanny how many times he has got hundreds in ODI cricket chasing totals down. I don't think anyone, not even Sachin could do what Virat's done. We know Sachin and Brian Lara were the two best players of all time in our generation.
“But Virat and AB de Villiers; it's very difficult to separate those guys. Virat is as good as anyone that I have seen play the game. Wonderful, terrific player, I love his energy and passion. I am sure when he finishes in ten years or so he will be spoken about in the same breath as Sachin," he remarks.
While there is still some way to go for Virat Kohli to reach the same bracket as the Little Master, one can’t help but deny that he is already on his way to the greatness once exuded by the now-retired genius.
