Former Australian cricketer Justin Langer has praised Virat Kohli, calling him the best batter he has ever seen. As the 4th Test match between India and Australia unfolds, Langer expressed his admiration for Kohli, placing him above cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara, citing his fierce spirit and remarkable fitness.
Langer shared that if he had to choose a player to watch among all the greats, it would be Kohli. With a wealth of experience from his own career, during which he played 105 Test matches for Australia, Langer also ranked Kohli ahead of the renowned Ricky Ponting.
During commentary on Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test, Langer explained his view, saying, “You might have raised your eyebrows when I said Kohli is the best player I’ve seen, but it’s true. Playing against Sachin Tendulkar was a privilege, and I also played alongside Ricky Ponting and Brian Lara. If I had to choose, I would want to see Brian Lara bat, but if it’s a matter of my last dollar, I’d want Virat Kohli at the crease.”
Langer emphasized that his admiration for Kohli goes beyond his impressive batting skills. He pointed out Kohli’s keen eye for the ball, his quick running between wickets, his fielding, strong leadership qualities, and top-notch fitness. According to Langer, the statistics back up Kohli’s greatness. “His numbers speak for themselves. You can’t argue with data, and that’s why I believe he is the best player I’ve ever seen,” he added.
However, Kohli’s performance in the Boxing Day Test has had its ups and downs. The seasoned batter faced some challenges during this match, including a confrontation with debutant Sam Konstas, which led to some boos from the Melbourne Cricket Ground crowd. Despite showing good form in India’s first innings, Kohli was involved in a significant mix-up with teammate Yashasvi Jaiswal that led to Jaiswal’s run-out. This incident seemed to shake Kohli, and he eventually scored 36 runs off 86 balls before his dismissal.
As the cricketing world continues to watch the match unfold, all eyes remain on Kohli, who has proven time and again why he is a player to watch.
