"As dominant as Viv Richards, reminds me of Imran Khan in many ways" : Ravi Shastri on Virat Kohli

[Abdullah719]

"As dominant as Viv Richards, reminds me of Imran Khan in many ways" : Ravi Shastri on Virat Kohli

https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-ne...formats-ravi-shastri-india-cricket-team-coach

Excerpt from this Ravi Shastri interview:

To carry that kind of pressure of captaincy and clean up all the individual ICC awards as well is phenomenal. We have had great players who struggled to handle pressure when they were captain. Then we had some captains who didn't know what number to bat at - when they are good enough to go at number three, but they chose to go at six or seven.

But here is a guy who is as dominant as Sir Vivian Richards. The closest I have seen to the great man. Virat is in your face, he wants to dominate and has a work ethic like no one else. Whether it comes to discipline, training, sacrifice or self-denial, it is unbelievable. I think India is lucky to have a leader of that sort. He reminds me of Imran Khan in many ways - in the way he sets the example and sets the standards, and goes about defining it in his own way and leading from the front.

Virat is special, absolutely special, for someone to get runs in dominant fashion in South Africa, in Australia and in England. England was icing on the cake. Here's a guy who has got 140 runs in 10 innings (2014) and then gets 590 runs with two masters of bowling in James Anderson and Stuart Broad. You won't get better than that with the Dukes ball. And to get those runs as captain in a team that is being beaten is phenomenal.

 

[Mamoon]

Kohli is undoubtedly the ultimate modern cricketer, but did Shastri really have to take shots at Tendulkar and Dhoni to big him up?

I actually admire him. I think he is exactly the type of coach this Indian team needs, but his ego and narcissism are clearly out of control.

 

[sunny85]

Why to start such threads. Just wait
Kohli bashing to start.

IK was way better than ..... Viv is greatest. Sachin had flaws. Root is better but Williason is ahead.
Let the show begin

 

[Romali_rotti]

I dont see any similarities between Kohli and Imran. They dont bat alike, Kohli does not bowl, Kohli Captains with comical aggression, Imran was calm and mature.. Shastri needs to stop bowling smoke...

 

[Oligochaetes]

We lost 86-6, 87-7 and then 130-7 at The Oval again. Also, we didn't have luck all the time either. For example, when the whole world knew Jos Buttler was out leg before (at The Oval) but snickometer showed that there was a nick. It changes the course of a match. (EXCUSE 1)

Take for example, Perth Test, Virat Kohli's catch (claimed by Peter Handscomb). I have been a broadcaster. I would have said not out straightaway.(EXCUSE 2) We had two decisions in South Africa reversed (EXCUSE 3). These are things that are not under your control.

But we are not here to give excuses.

This is too funny!

 

[xricket]

That's because Kohli is flamboyant, which Immi was. Hope he doesn't turn out to be a narcissist or hypocrite too.

 

[shariqnoor]

Great interview. Loved reading all of it. Shastri's ego is uncontrollable but I like the fact that he is a straight-shooter.

 

[topspin]

I'm a big fan of Shashtri albeit controversial at times. Anil Kumble was holding India back because he didn't share the same vision and cricketing philosophy of Kohli.

 

[RamLakhan]

I'm a big fan of Shashtri albeit controversial at times. Anil Kumble was holding India back because he didn't share the same vision and cricketing philosophy of Kohli.

It could be your personal opinion! I think India would have won all the overseas test series this time (SA, Eng - where they missed) under Kumble, had Kohli made proper pair with him! There were many tactical mistakes which Shastri/Kohli couldn't understand!

 

[jnaveen1980]

Drama queen Ravi just has to zip up and focus on drinking beer

 

[slipcatch]

I dont see any similarities between Kohli and Imran. They dont bat alike, Kohli does not bowl, Kohli Captains with comical aggression, Imran was calm and mature.. Shastri needs to stop bowling smoke...

Read again

He reminds me of Imran Khan in many ways - in the way he sets the example and sets the standards, and goes about defining it in his own way and leading from the front.

 

[slipcatch]

After Dravid probably the best match winner India has ever produced.

 

[Sachin136]

This was actually a good interview.

 

[rhony]

I dont see any similarities between Kohli and Imran. They dont bat alike, Kohli does not bowl, Kohli Captains with comical aggression, Imran was calm and mature.. Shastri needs to stop bowling smoke...

Both Imran and Kohli made their boards irrelevant. They pick the teams they want and boss their entire cricket structures. It's a monopoly. Stunning in Kohli's case because BCCI is a lot powerful than PCB in Imran's era. Other similarities are backing exciting wicket taking bowlers (2 Ws vs 2 wrist spinners). Before Pak fans blast me for comparing 2Ws with wrist spinners, hear me out. 2 Ws were picked without much first class pedigree. Same is the case with the wrist spinners and they are a major reason for India being consistent.

 

[happydavy]

I dont see any similarities between Kohli and Imran. They dont bat alike, Kohli does not bowl, Kohli Captains with comical aggression, Imran was calm and mature.. Shastri needs to stop bowling smoke...

Imran won 4 test matches outside Asia in 10 years, Kohli won 4 in 1 year, so much so for Imran's agression. Kohli as captain should be compared to Lloyds and Waughs, not IK.

 

[gh54785]

Imran won 4 test matches outside Asia in 10 years, Kohli won 4 in 1 year, so much so for Imran's agression. Kohli as captain should be compared to Lloyds and Waughs, not IK.

People already know VK is better but can't say it openly otherwise it may upset some people.

You gotta show some respect to the greats of the game even when they are not so great.

 

[Hyperion66]

Imran won 4 test matches outside Asia in 10 years, Kohli won 4 in 1 year, so much so for Imran's agression. Kohli as captain should be compared to Lloyds and Waughs, not IK.

Thank you, finally someone speaking truth as it is without beating around the bush.

 

[Faiz_Ahmad]

Thank you, finally someone speaking truth as it is without beating around the bush.

Draw 3 Test series with mighty West Indies, winning test series with India in India (not neutral umpires ), winning series in England, Winning Nehru Cup, World cup not small achievement ,

 

[ILcricket]

I admire 3 things about Kohli . His temperament , fitness & above all his passion for Test match cricket . Talent is a gift .
Shastri is nothing but a chamm ach of Kohli , yes man all the way .

 

[Slim]

Kohli is undoubtedly the ultimate modern cricketer, but did Shastri really have to take shots at Tendulkar and Dhoni to big him up?

I actually admire him. I think he is exactly the type of coach this Indian team needs, but his ego and narcissism are clearly out of control.

He isnt wrong? Kohli is a dominating, alpha personality unlike Sachin. Dhoni is alpha but has a calm demeanor to him, Kohli is very much pakistani like Khan in terms of his attitude. I personally find Kohli very likable due to this "Pakistani-ness" about him as compared to Sachin.

 

[Slim]

Why to start such threads. Just wait
Kohli bashing to start.

IK was way better than ..... Viv is greatest. Sachin had flaws. Root is better but Williason is ahead.
Let the show begin

If anyone says Root and Willamson are better than Kohli, they are living in a fool's paradise. Kohli is the best cricketer India has produced and probably the second best after Don.

 

[Hyperion66]

Draw 3 Test series with mighty West Indies, winning test series with India in India (not neutral umpires ), winning series in England, Winning Nehru Cup, World cup not small achievement ,

I didn't intend to belittle Imran one bit, he was a fantastic captain but not the nigh untouchable one that PP experts here want everyone to believe.

 

[Sarwar89]

Useless thread.
Imran khan Oxford Educated, Prime Minister
Plus a World Cup winning captain.
Austral asia cups of 86/90
Nehru cup 89 in india.
Won first ever away test series in india and england 87.
Drew 3 tight series with mighty west indies. Changed the course of pakistan sports culture from hockey to cricket.

Author of books. Come on.
He was just not a cricketer.
As a captain never lost a test match against india.
Averaged 20 with ball and 51 with bat as captain in 48 tests ( as captain) even better than sobers in that regards.

He was just not a cricketer only.

 

[TheSensible]

I dont see any similarities between Kohli and Imran. They dont bat alike, Kohli does not bowl, Kohli Captains with comical aggression, Imran was calm and mature.. Shastri needs to stop bowling smoke...

You’re conflating aggresive celebrations w/ captaincy by suggesting he “captains with comical aggression”

I’ve barely if ever seen him be aggressive with his antics with regards to his captaincy. He calm and collected towards his players at practically all times. As for his fielding tactics, he should probably be more aggressive as he falls short on it more often than not.

 

[rhony]

Useless thread.
Imran khan Oxford Educated, Prime Minister
Plus a World Cup winning captain.
Austral asia cups of 86/90
Nehru cup 89 in india.
Won first ever away test series in india and england 87.
Drew 3 tight series with mighty west indies. Changed the course of pakistan sports culture from hockey to cricket.

Author of books. Come on.
He was just not a cricketer.
As a captain never lost a test match against india.
Averaged 20 with ball and 51 with bat as captain in 48 tests ( as captain) even better than sobers in that regards.

He was just not a cricketer only.

I doubt if Ravi Shastry read any of those books. He is just comparing the attitude of both players and their performances.

 

[Sarwar89]

I doubt if Ravi Shastry read any of those books. He is just comparing the attitude of both players and their performances.

Top legendary cricketers are always winners. Just as top footballers are always winners. Messi is unlucky not win world cup but can we say his attitude is bad n he isnt a winner.
So comparisons dont do justice cuz all legends were winners.

 

[TheSensible]

Useless thread.
Imran khan Oxford Educated, Prime Minister
Plus a World Cup winning captain.
Austral asia cups of 86/90
Nehru cup 89 in india.
Won first ever away test series in india and england 87.
Drew 3 tight series with mighty west indies. Changed the course of pakistan sports culture from hockey to cricket.

Author of books. Come on.
He was just not a cricketer.
As a captain never lost a test match against india.
Averaged 20 with ball and 51 with bat as captain in 48 tests ( as captain) even better than sobers in that regards.

He was just not a cricketer only.

So, if there are different degrees to two players’ achievements, does it fail your imagination that those two players are being compared?

Why do people ever compare an all time great to a presently playing player, but to appreciate the former’s greatness?

You didn’t refute anything Shastri said, but instead listed career accomplishments to someone who’s still in the middle of his career (not the point Shastri was making).

 

[rhony]

Top legendary cricketers are always winners. Just as top footballers are always winners. Messi is unlucky not win world cup but can we say his attitude is bad n he isnt a winner.
So comparisons dont do justice cuz all legends were winners.

He's not saying Kohli is better than Imran man. Take it easy. He's just saying Kohli reminds him of Imran. That's a compliment to everybody

 

[Slim]

He's not saying Kohli is better than Imran man. Take it easy. He's just saying Kohli reminds him of Imran. That's a compliment to everybody

Imi fans are as sensitive as Sachin fans.

 

[Majid Khan]

One difference is Imran and Viv played in an era where they had some of the toughest opponents and worlds greatest ever cricketers to face.

Kohli for all his greatness as a batsman hasn’t really been challenged - he’s playing in an era where the average looking Jason Holder is one of the top ranking pace bowlers in the world, and the bowling standards are that low that even Pakistan’s produced not one but three batsmen who in ODI cricket are averaging 50+ and and among the fastest 3 batsmen of all time to 1000 runs.

The only memorable duel that Kohli has had briefly that I recall was with an inspired Mohammed Amir in a short burst in Champions Trophy where he got him out almost twice in 3 balls. Now imagine him up against Holding, Marshall, Imran, Wasim, Waqar, Donald, Ambrose , Warne, Murali, Saqlain, Qadir — he’s a good enough as a batsman to perform against these bowlers if he plays with his A game, but my point is he would be sweating a little bit more than facing most of the mediocre bowlers out there today.

 

[Mamoon]

He isnt wrong? Kohli is a dominating, alpha personality unlike Sachin. Dhoni is alpha but has a calm demeanor to him, Kohli is very much pakistani like Khan in terms of his attitude. I personally find Kohli very likable due to this "Pakistani-ness" about him as compared to Sachin.

He does not have to demean other Indian players to make Kohli look good.

 

[rhony]

One difference is Imran and Viv played in an era where they had some of the toughest opponents and worlds greatest ever cricketers to face.

Kohli for all his greatness as a batsman hasn’t really been challenged - he’s playing in an era where the average looking Jason Holder is one of the top ranking pace bowlers in the world, and the bowling standards are that low that even Pakistan’s produced not one but three batsmen who in ODI cricket are averaging 50+ and and among the fastest 3 batsmen of all time to 1000 runs.

The only memorable duel that Kohli has had briefly that I recall was with an inspired Mohammed Amir in a short burst in Champions Trophy where he got him out almost twice in 3 balls. Now imagine him up against Holding, Marshall, Imran, Wasim, Waqar, Donald, Ambrose , Warne, Murali, Saqlain, Qadir — he’s a good enough as a batsman to perform against these bowlers if he plays with his A game, but my point is he would be sweating a little bit more than facing most of the mediocre bowlers out there today.

And hence his record is 59 AVG vs 46 AVG of Richards. Amir and Kohli had a few duels (3 or 4) and Amir came out on top once. Also, maybe those ATG bowlers arent really ATG if you think those days were bowler friendly and the batsmen had to struggle more. Pressure is pressure in any era and this dude has chasing ability the world has never seen before. He is unique in that way and there is no precedence.

 

[Haroon786]

One difference is Imran and Viv played in an era where they had some of the toughest opponents and worlds greatest ever cricketers to face.

Kohli for all his greatness as a batsman hasn’t really been challenged - he’s playing in an era where the average looking Jason Holder is one of the top ranking pace bowlers in the world, and the bowling standards are that low that even Pakistan’s produced not one but three batsmen who in ODI cricket are averaging 50+ and and among the fastest 3 batsmen of all time to 1000 runs.

The only memorable duel that Kohli has had briefly that I recall was with an inspired Mohammed Amir in a short burst in Champions Trophy where he got him out almost twice in 3 balls. Now imagine him up against Holding, Marshall, Imran, Wasim, Waqar, Donald, Ambrose , Warne, Murali, Saqlain, Qadir — he’s a good enough as a batsman to perform against these bowlers if he plays with his A game, but my point is he would be sweating a little bit more than facing most of the mediocre bowlers out there today.

[MENTION=133760]Abdullah719[/MENTION] [MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] [MENTION=93712]MenInG[/MENTION] POTW nomination^

 

[Hawkeye]

Why are parosis getting mad at Shastri?

Is that because he didn't compare Kohli with SRT? And placed Viv, Imran above SRT?

If so, understandable. But also true.

 

[Junaid_ahmed]

Useless thread.
Imran khan Oxford Educated, Prime Minister
Plus a World Cup winning captain.
Austral asia cups of 86/90
Nehru cup 89 in india.
Won first ever away test series in india and england 87.
Drew 3 tight series with mighty west indies. Changed the course of pakistan sports culture from hockey to cricket.

Author of books. Come on.
He was just not a cricketer.
As a captain never lost a test match against india.
Averaged 20 with ball and 51 with bat as captain in 48 tests ( as captain) even better than sobers in that regards.

He was just not a cricketer only.

I am sure this will hurt many.

 

[The Viper]

Kohli is dominant. He is by far the best ODI batsman and his average shows his dominance over his contemporaries.

 

[Junaid_ahmed]

And hence his record is 59 AVG vs 46 AVG of Richards. Amir and Kohli had a few duels (3 or 4) and Amir came out on top once. Also, maybe those ATG bowlers arent really ATG if you think those days were bowler friendly and the batsmen had to struggle more. Pressure is pressure in any era and this dude has chasing ability the world has never seen before. He is unique in that way and there is no precedence.

Since the cricket started 76-95 were best 20 years of cricket. That was the best era because of its balance You may ask this from any cricketing expert. If Imran bowling avg was exceptional just bcz of bowling in bowlers friendly era then his batting avg as captain would make him a better batsman than Kohli, would you like to accept this.

 

[Sachin136]

Useless thread.
Imran khan Oxford Educated, Prime Minister
Plus a World Cup winning captain.
Austral asia cups of 86/90
Nehru cup 89 in india.
Won first ever away test series in india and england 87.
Drew 3 tight series with mighty west indies. Changed the course of pakistan sports culture from hockey to cricket.

Author of books. Come on.
He was just not a cricketer.
As a captain never lost a test match against india.
Averaged 20 with ball and 51 with bat as captain in 48 tests ( as captain) even better than sobers in that regards.

He was just not a cricketer only.

Who cares about him not losing against India? Kohli's record as a captain so far (in terms of W/L) trumps Imran by a massive margin.

 

[RickyG]

Imran won 4 test matches outside Asia in 10 years, Kohli won 4 in 1 year, so much so for Imran's agression. Kohli as captain should be compared to Lloyds and Waughs, not IK.

It's a different era. You hardly have any drawn test matches nowadays. Even captains like Inzi won 4 tests outside Asia in 1 year, doesn't make him a great captain.

Imran drew two test series against one of the most dominant teams in the history of cricket. That, in my opinion, is a bigger achievement than beating a severely weakened Australia or losing 4-1 and 2-1 to England and South Africa. This is India's greatest generation yet and they beat Australia's weakest generation in history. I wouldn't too much weight on this win.

Kohli is nowhere near Lloyd or Waugh. He couldn't inspire India's greatest generation to beat a relatively weak South Africa. He also couldn't beat England's team of bit part all-rounders. Same England team that hasn't beaten Pakistan in a series home or away for 9 years (4 series).

Kohli is a better batsman than he is a captain.

 

[Slog]

Kohli is undoubtedly the ultimate modern cricketer, but did Shastri really have to take shots at Tendulkar and Dhoni to big him up?

I actually admire him. I think he is exactly the type of coach this Indian team needs, but his ego and narcissism are clearly out of control.

Yea but Kohli is somewhat of an alpha male whereas Tendulkar was clearly beta

 

[rhony]

Since the cricket started 76-95 were best 20 years of cricket. That was the best era because of its balance You may ask this from any cricketing expert. If Imran bowling avg was exceptional just bcz of bowling in bowlers friendly era then his batting avg as captain would make him a better batsman than Kohli, would you like to accept this.

I would have accepted this if Imran's batting or his batting records were even close to Kohli's in ODIs. In tests, I have no issue in agreeing that the yesteryear players were well technically equipped compared to the current gen. However, Virat would have succeeded in any era.

 

[rhony]

Since the cricket started 76-95 were best 20 years of cricket. That was the best era because of its balance You may ask this from any cricketing expert. If Imran bowling avg was exceptional just bcz of bowling in bowlers friendly era then his batting avg as captain would make him a better batsman than Kohli, would you like to accept this.

I just checked the stats and Kohli averages 63 as captain vs Imran at 53. Even if you argue the bowling supremacy in the olden days, 10 point difference in average is a bit much to confirm VK is inferior to IK

 

[Junaid_ahmed]

I just checked the stats and Kohli averages 63 as captain vs Imran at 53. Even if you argue the bowling supremacy in the olden days, 10 point difference in average is a bit much to confirm VK is inferior to IK

You I think didn't get what I say. Anyway if you think Kohli is a better player then may be he is.

 

[Dead Ball]

[MENTION=133760]Abdullah719[/MENTION] [MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] [MENTION=93712]MenInG[/MENTION] POTW nomination^

For a post which has its basis on nostalgia rather than logic?

I guess Steyn, Rabada, Cummins, Hazlewood, Philander, Boult, Southee, Anderson, Broad etc are all ****** bowlers according to you guys.

Virat Kohli was the best test batsman in a year (2018) in which the 35 wickets taken per match was the highest in any year since World War I, the most in any of the 83 years in Test history in which at least seven Tests were played.

And Kohli was the best batsman despite having toured toughest countries for Asian batsmen to score in.

To say Kohli hasn't been challenged is stupid. He is certainly being challenged more than Viv, during whose era, half the best bowlers in the world were in his own side.

 

[rhony]

You I think didn't get what I say. Anyway if you think Kohli is a better player then may be he is.

I understood what you said. If the bowlers in the yesteryears aren't ATG due to bowling friendly conditions, then the batsmen in that era must be far more superior than the currrent lot. I agree with what you said but also indicated that the numbers Kohli gathered are just staggering. A 10 point higher average than his peers and from the past generation as captain makes it difficult to assume that he in inferior to any batsman in the past.

 

[Haroon786]

For a post which has its basis on nostalgia rather than logic?

I guess Steyn, Rabada, Cummins, Hazlewood, Philander, Boult, Southee, Anderson, Broad etc are all ****** bowlers according to you guys.

Virat Kohli was the best test batsman in a year (2018) in which the 35 wickets taken per match was the highest in any year since World War I, the most in any of the 83 years in Test history in which at least seven Tests were played.

And Kohli was the best batsman despite having toured toughest countries for Asian batsmen to score in.

To say Kohli hasn't been challenged is stupid. He is certainly being challenged more than Viv, during whose era, half the best bowlers in the world were in his own side.

Nostalgia can also have logic, it's not mutually exclusive. Lillee, Thomson, Alderman, Hadlee, Imran, Botham, Bob Willis and Wasim were all around during Viv's and most of them are great bowlers, if not ATGs.

I do agree that Majid may be exaggerating the lack of great bowlers these days, but it's also hypocritical to overlook the fact that Kohli also has, at least over the last year, some of the best pacers and definitely the best spinners in the world in his team.

 

[Romali_rotti]

Read again

What example did Imran set that Kohli follows ? Only similarity which is an undeniable one is they are both captains hence leading their respective teams other than that nothing.. If that's the case Kohli can be compared to Steve Waugh, Viv Richards and every other successful Captain out there...

 

[gazza619]

Nostalgia can also have logic, it's not mutually exclusive. Lillee, Thomson, Alderman, Hadlee, Imran, Botham, Bob Willis and Wasim were all around during Viv's and most of them are great bowlers, if not ATGs.

I do agree that Majid may be exaggerating the lack of great bowlers these days, but it's also hypocritical to overlook the fact that Kohli also has, at least over the last year, some of the best pacers and definitely the best spinners in the world in his team.

I genuinely feel that Kohli would have been as sucessful in the 70s and 80s as he is today.

 

[Suleiman]

Kohli is a good guy deep down despite all the on field aggression which he does because he loves the game so much.

Shastri on the other hand is a very chaotic force and a bad influence on youngsters like Kohli and Pandya. Needs to be shelved.

 

[PakLFC]

Kohli is already a great no doubt about it. Even if he scores average runs from here on he'll be among the top scorers in history. Kohli on average form is much better then our batsmen on top form. He has always had a good relationship with Pak players, it's the Aussies and other sides he has a problem with He's just a tough competitor like he should be but outside the field of play is a top lad!

 

[giri26]

I think he is only talking about leadership and leading from the front here. There is no comparison of cricketing abilities of the two players. Anyways, cannot take anything Shastri says seriously. Gary Kirsten hardly spoke to the media during his tenure as the Indian coach, BCCI should put a lock on Shastri's mouth as well.

 

[Chrish]

I never understood Kohli’s comparison with Viv. I would have agreed if we are talking about Kohli from 2014 Australian series but then he has developed into player who grinds out the opponents. Viv in the other hand tried to dominate the opposition right till the last game. He never changed his style

Two entirely different players.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

I have come to the conclusion that sadly [MENTION=134300]Tusker[/MENTION] was right and there is a classical romanticism with every cricketer that existed in old times.

Cricket has evolved over time and people tend to overrate the 75-95 era as one of the best because bowlers could stick it to the batsmen, and there were no aggressive batsmen.

Infact, after 1996 with the start of Jayasuriya, Kaluwitharana, Gilchrist etc, the role of openers totally changed and cricket started becoming more attacking.

Nowadays, the bowlers might be even more skilled or have more armory at their disposal but the batsmen have also become more and more brighter with ability to execute more shots. Hence it may look like that nowadays bowlers suck, but it is just that batsmen have evolved more.

 

[Haroon786]

I never understood Kohli’s comparison with Viv. I would have agreed if we are talking about Kohli from 2014 Australian series but then he has developed into player who grinds out the opponents. Viv in the other hand tried to dominate the opposition right till the last game. He never changed his style

Two entirely different players.

I think even in ODIs the comparison is flawed because Kohli while he does play some knocks where he completely eviscerates the opposition bowling but the vast majority of the time he tends to use strike rotation and putting the bad ball away to bat at a good SR. From what I gather, Viv focused a lot more on trying to go after the best bowlers in the opposition and preferred hitting boundaries over strike rotation.

 

[MenInG]

KARACHI: Former Pakistan leg-spinner Abdul Qadir has said that he sees lot of similarities between Indian skipper Virat Kohli and former Pakistan captain and the country's prime minister, Imran Khan.

"If I look at Virat Kohli as a batsman and captain... I can say he is similar to Imran in the manner that he, like Imran, sets an example by doing something himself and then expects his team to do the same," Qadir said on a TV show on Tuesday.

"I wouldn't compare the two (Kohli, Khan) but, if I look at Kohli, he also has this ability of leading from the front," he added.

"Kohli also (like Khan) takes responsibility and performs and forces the other players to perform," Qadir said further.

The spinner who played 67 tests and 104 One-day Internationals for Pakistan, many of them under the captaincy of Khan, was reacting to Indian head coach Ravi Shastri's comparing Kohli to cult cricketing figures like Sir Vivian Richards and the iconic former Pakistan captain.

"If I talk about Imran, the sort of personality he had and his ability to get performance out of his players... I don't think Kohli is there as yet. But no doubt the Indian captain also leads by example," he said.

Considered by many as the best batsman of the modern era, Kohli recently led India to their first ever test series win in Australia and the Indian team under his leadership thrashed New Zealand in the recently concluded one-day series.

Qadir, however, was very critical of the current Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman, Ehsan Mani who has been nominated to the post by Khan in his capacity as patron in chief of the board as the country's prime minister.

"I want to congratulate the Pakistani people and the PCB that they have got a Buzdar plus in Ehsan Mani,” Qadir said referring to Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar who has been ridiculed in the media for failing to find solutions to problems.

Qadir claimed that just like Buzdar, Mani too has failed to resolve issues threatening Pakistan cricket.

"I blame Mani for playing with Test cricket and destroying it in Pakistan. He has no concentration on this format of the game and similarly they are playing with the Quaid-e-Azam first class tournament in domestic cricket," Qadir alleged.

Backing the decision to retain Sarfaraz Ahmed as captain for the World Cup, the leg-spinner said that Mani's press conference on Tuesday to make the announcement had raised many questions.

He pointed out that Mani and the board had earlier said that the captain of the team for the World Cup would be decided after the Pakistan Super League and that the appointment is made on a series to series basis.

"What happened now... all senior players had said Sarfaraz should be captain. But what happened to the old statements of the board? Why didn't they announce it earlier when Sarfaraz returned from South Africa," he questioned.

The leg-spinner blamed Mani and the board for creating confusion by making announcements and then taking U-turns.
"Whenever Mani has spoken to the media, he has created confusion," he said.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...ran-khan-abdul-qadir/articleshow/67860922.cms

 

[Majid Khan]

I have come to the conclusion that sadly [MENTION=134300]Tusker[/MENTION] was right and there is a classical romanticism with every cricketer that existed in old times.

Cricket has evolved over time and people tend to overrate the 75-95 era as one of the best because bowlers could stick it to the batsmen, and there were no aggressive batsmen.

Infact, after 1996 with the start of Jayasuriya, Kaluwitharana, Gilchrist etc, the role of openers totally changed and cricket started becoming more attacking.

Nowadays, the bowlers might be even more skilled or have more armory at their disposal but the batsmen have also become more and more brighter with ability to execute more shots. Hence it may look like that nowadays bowlers suck, but it is just that batsmen have evolved more.

While I agree that cricket has changed and evolved in many ways in recent times with the advent of T20 cricket, Jayasuriya / Kaluwothrana model of attacking batting in first 15 overs in ODI cricket post 96 World Cup , more batsmen friendly wickets, bigger bats , improved protection with helmets etc, restrictions on bouncers and intimidating bowling - the end result is today’s cricket is primarily a batsman’s game.

In the era before these changes, what you had was more of a balance between bat and ball in the game, and only the very best batsmen averaged near or over 50 in test cricket and the very best bowlers averaged 25 or less — look at the list of batsmen and bowlers who match this criteria on stats between 75-95 in test cricket , and anyone who watched enough cricket in that time even without any knowledge of their statistics and averages will tell you the same names as the best players they have seen - the likes of Lillee, Marshall, Roberts, Holding, Imran, Hadlee, Wasim, Waqar, Donald, McGrath, Ambrose etc. were the best fast bowlers in the game and in my view have no match today, based on skill levels , match winning ability and bowling intelligence - even if you throw the stats outside the window for a minute.

Some might disagree but this is my opinion at least, today’s standard of bowling in cricket is nowhere near what it was back in 80s and 90s era, and as for the batting - they have too many bad balls served on the plate to put away and very few inspired or intimidating spells of bowling to face — that too on flat decks.. not to undermine Virat Kohli for he stands out head and shoulders above the rest in this era as a batsman, but my point is he’s not had to face the challenges and same quality of bowling that other greats like Viv, Gavaskar, Lara, Tendulkar have had to face.

 

[Hasan123]

Kohli may not be a great tactican but he's an inspirational leader. His focus on fitness and playing fearless cricket is transforming Indian cricket to new heights. I think he will finish as one of the greatest captains. He has the numbers to back him up, I'm sure he will leave India in a better state than when he took over.

 

[BaankeJi]

I am sure this will hurt many.

No it won't because it is off topic.

 

[MenInG]

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has revealed that he thought about playing Virat Kohli at no. 4 during 2019 ODI World Cup in England. Kohli, who does bat at no. 4 in Test cricket, has been synonymous with the number three spot in white-ball cricket. However, Kohli played the 2011 World Cup, which India won, batting at no. 4. The star batter has a stunning record with the bat, while batting at no. 4. So far, he has scored 1767 in 39 matches, averaging 55.21 with the help of seven centuries and eight fifties.

Shastri recalled that he had a chat with former India chief selector MSK Prasad about the possibility of utilising Kohli at no. 4.

"If Virat has to bat at four, he will bat at four in the interest of the side. You know, there were times I thought of it. Even in the previous two World Cups, when I was coach in 2019, I thought I might have discussed that with MSK as well of him batting at four just to break that top heavy line up," Shastri said on Star Sports' Selection Day show.

While highlighting Kohli's impressive record, Shastri said the star batter would've added more balance to the side, had he played in that position.

"You know, because if we lost two or three at the top, we were gone and it was proved so just for reaching that the experience. And if you look at Virat Kohli's record, he is good enough at number four," the former India all-rounder added.

NDTV