Jeff Thomson says Virat Kohli is more aggressive than Sachin Tendulkar
Legendary Australian fast bowler Jeff Thomson has been an admirer of Indian batting sensation Virat Kohli and he feels that the current Indian Test captain’s aggressive approach to batting is similar to West Indian great Vivian Richards.The Aussie bowling legend was extremely impressed with the aggressive attitude of Kohli. In a recent interview with India Today, he spoke about the India Test captain.
The 65-year-old, who used to be a nightmare of batsmen at his time, found similarities between Kohli and the Caribbean batting great Sir Vivian Richards. He said, "To me, he bats with a fast bowlers tenaciousness. He gives it back the same way it is dished out to him. A bit like Viv Richards."
Kohli is more aggressive than Sachin
The world is comparing the performances of Kohli with those of his icon, the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. Thomson also had his say on the debate, "He is more aggressive than Sachin. Sachin may have been aggressive with the bat but Virat is outwardly aggressive. Like all good batsmen you talk your tongue with the bat. He talks the talk and walks the walk. He backs it up."
He also backed Kohli's aggressive nature by saying that the Indian should not ever change his nature on the field, "Look if he was in my team and I was the coach I would just love it. If I was a 'bowler' in my side, I would want to carry on like that."
The first meeting between Thomson and Kohli
Thomson used to terrorise opposition batsmen with his lethal spells of fast bowling during his playing days, for his services he was inducted into Australia’s Hall of Fame in January 2016. It was that day when he first met Virat and recalled their conversation.
Kohli went up to Thomson and said, "Thommo, I just wanted to meet you”. The right-handed batsman knew very little that the Australian pacer had been quite an admirer of his masterful craftsmanship for long. In reply, the soft-spoken aggressive fast bowler said, "Mate, I saw you when you were young, loved your attitude, the way you gave it back to the Aussies,"
Thomson said, "And that was me telling a batsman," he stressed on the word 'me', outlining the weight of the compliment during the interview. He then went on to talk about the Indian limited-overs vice-captain and his surreal achievements.
The 65-year-old said, "I am not saying because of what he is now but I have always loved Virat from the day I saw him. I liked him from the time he first came to Australia and was a nobody. I thought this kid can bat. I just liked his attitude."
The top-order batsman has been phenomenal in the past 18 months or so, especially from the Australia tour. He was simply too hot to handle in Australia and after returning to India he took his game to another level in the World T20. Kohli was also in incredible form during the recently held IPL as he scored 973 runs in 16 matches which included four centuries.