“Virat Kohli has the potential to be the greatest after Don Bradman”, that is what former SriLankan captain and current MCC president Kumar Sangakkara has to say about the Indian cricket team captain.
Despite playing just one format, Bradman is widely regarded as the greatest batsman of all time – his outstanding Test average of 99.94 is unlikely to be matched ever. Kohli on the other hand is one of the best modern-day batsmen going around, averaging over 50 in all three formats. Not yet 32, Kohli already has 70 international tons (27 Test Matches / 43 ODI) in his kitty. His ODI record as a standalone is more impeccable as he has already scored almost 12000 runs with 43 tons, the India captain is likely to surpass Sachin Tendulkar as the leading century-maker in the format.
3 Reasons, why Sangakarra feels, Virat Kohli can be the greatest after Don Bradman ?
Reason1 – Kohli’s insatiable hunger for runs coupled with his tremendous fitness levels is what has convinced Sangakkara to believe he can go past the Don.
“Virat is phenomenally fit. I know, and I have seen and heard of his amazing commitment and dedication to being the best that he can be, both on and off the field – physically, mentally and skill-wise. He has the opportunity to become maybe the greatest after the Don,” Sangakkara said on The RK Show.
“He’s a rare breed among cricketers. Inspiration wise, one of the best I’ve ever watched in my life, across every format. What I like the most about Virat is his passion, his personality and the fact that he is not scared to show his emotions visible on the field – whether he’s captaining the side or he’s just fighting a line battle, trying to get India to win”
Reason 3 –
According to Sangakarra, another big reason for Virat to be so successful is that Virat’s batting is not laced with too many high-fancy shots. Former Sri Lanka captain said, that is the reason Kohli delivers with minimum of the risk.
“Virat according to me is an old-fashioned cricketer. Not too many high-fancy shots, but deadly effective. Minimum risks and maximum gains”
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