Virat Kohli celebrates after scoring a ton in Birmingham
After Virat Kohli scored 200 runs in successive innings of the first Test in England, where he failed miserably during his last tour in 2014, former Australia captain Steve Waugh has heaped praises on the Indian skipper, claiming that he can survive anywhere with his "best technique". (2ND TEST LIVE UPDATES)
"He (Kohli) has got the game to survive anywhere, I think he's got the best technique of anyone in world cricket," Waugh said as quoted by cricket.com.au.
Waugh also compared the 29-year-old Indian with South Africa batting great AB de Villiers, who retired from international cricket in May this year. However, he revealed what makes Kohli the stand-out player in Test cricket.
"He and AB de Villiers have got the best techniques, and AB de Villiers is not playing Test cricket so that makes him (Kohli) the stand-out player.
Despite India's 31-run defeat to England in the first Test in Birmingham, Virat Kohli managed to surpass banned Australia captain Steve Smith to top the ICC Test batsmen rankings. He scored 149 and 51 runs in successive innings of the Test match that England won to take a 1-0 lead in five-match series.
Waugh also mentioned Smith, who is currently serving a 12-month ban for his involvement in ball tampering scandal in March. Hailing his hunger for runs, the Australian added: "I think Steve Smith is probably the hungriest batsman but he's obviously not playing for 12 months, so Kohli really is the premier batsman in world cricket."
With the impressive 149-run knock that eventually went in vain, Kohli has silenced his critics who thought his poor show in England will continue even after four years. In 2014, Kohli managed to score just 134 runs in five Test matches at a dismal batting average of 13.40.
Ahead of the Lord's Test, which start has been delayed due to persistent rain in London, Waugh said Kohli is a big occasion player.
"And he likes the big occasion. Like (Brian) Lara and Tendulkar and (Viv) Richards and Javed Miandad, and all the great batsmen, they want the big occasion and that brings out the best in their cricket," he commented.
