'Genius' Virat Kohli is the best batsman in the world, declares Javed Miandad
What's the story?
Legendary Pakistan batsman Javed Miandad has anointed Indian captain Virat Kohli as the best batsman in the world. Impressed by India's penchant for producing technically proficient batsmen, the 60-year old attributed Kohli's dominant form to his ability to adapt his game to counter the myriad challenges thrown at him by opposition bowlers.
In an interview with PakPassion.net, Miandad asserted, "What I really admire about Indian batsmen and the reason why they are so successful, is the fact that their batting technique is correct. In Virat Kohli’s case, his batting method is what allows him to score runs not just once but almost every time he comes in to bat."
He added, "If a batsman’s technique is bad, he can put some runs on the board once in a while, but he will not be able to do that consistently which is exactly true in Kohli’s case. To me the mark of a great batsman, like Kohli is the fact that he can vary his technique by quickly understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the bowlers. Kohli is a genius who is the best batsman in the world."
In the past...
Following his masterful 49 on a green top masquerading as a pitch during the 2016 Asia Cup match between India and Pakistan in Dhaka, Miandad had lauded Kohli's sublime knock and credited his exploits to work-ethic as well as hunger for runs.
The heart of the matter
Carrying on from his sparkling form in the home series against Sri Lanka late last year, Kohli's batting has reached astronomical proportions during India's ongoing tour of South Africa. Aside from being the only batsman on either side to register a century in the Test series played on challenging pitches, the Indian skipper also ended the 3-match rubber as the leading run-scorer.
After getting acquainted with the pace of South African pitches, Kohli has grown from strength to strength and began the ODI series with scores of 112, 46* and 160*. Leading from the front with decisive contributions, the captain's performances have been instrumental in propelling India to an unassailable 3-0 lead in the 50-over series.
What's next?
Needing only one more victory to clinch their maiden ODI series on South African soil, a confident Indian team will come out all guns blazing when the fourth match gets underway at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Author's take
While Steven Smith's unreal consistency has seen him reach mythical proportions in Test cricket, Kohli is unarguably the gold standard for batsmanship catering to all three formats of the modern game. High praise from a bonafide batting great such as Miandad is yet another shot in the arm for the star batsman from Delhi.