Former Indian cricketer and commentator Navjot Singh Sidhu has repeatedly called Virat Kohli one of the greatest athletes India has ever produced. In his view, Kohli is the greatest.
Sidhu has called Kohli the greatest player in the history of cricket and the Greatest of All Time. He believes Kohli has surpassed legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, and Viv Richards. He has explicitly said Kohli is India’s best batsman ever. He also called Kohli India’s greatest role model.
Sidhu has previously broken down his reasoning into specific traits. He praised Kohli’s temperament and said his mental strength gives India a psychological edge over opponents. He said Kohli has mastered all three formats, which few before him have done. He called Kohli a top-tier finisher who can win matches single-handedly. He described Kohli as a big-match player who thrives under pressure. He once said that if you give Kohli 20 runs, he will win you a World Cup final. He also called Kohli’s performances against Pakistan legendary and said his records are unparalleled.
Kohli has played over 550 international matches in an 18-year career. He has scored over 28,000 runs and has 85 international centuries. This puts him second only to Sachin Tendulkar’s 100 centuries. In ODIs, he has played 314 matches and scored 14,941 runs at an average of 58.59. He holds the world record for most ODI centuries with 54.
In Test cricket, he has played 123 matches and scored 9,230 runs at 46.85. He has 30 centuries. He is India’s most successful Test captain with 40 wins in 68 matches. In T20Is, he has played 125 matches and scored 4,188 runs. He is the all-time leading run-scorer in T20 World Cups with 1,292 runs. He won the 2011 ODI World Cup, the 2024 T20 World Cup, and two ICC Champions Trophy titles.
Sidhu thinks Virat Kohli is the greatest, but people might have different favourite choices. Sachin Tendulkar is loved by millions as the “God of Cricket”. Hockey star Dhyan Chand won three Olympic gold medals for India. Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar once called badminton star Prakash Padukone India’s finest sportsperson, and Viswanathan Anand ruled the board as a world chess champion.
Glenn Maxwell Picks Virat Kohli as the Best ODI Batter He Has Ever Seen
Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has named Virat Kohli as the best-ever ODI batter. He praised Kohli’s timing, control, and ability to find gaps with ease. Maxwell made these remarks on the Keeping it Cricket podcast hosted by former Australia cricketers Brad Haddin and Alyssa Healy.
Maxwell said that Kohli is the best he has ever seen in one-day cricket. He recalled some of the innings Kohli has played against Australia and described them as ridiculous. He said Kohli has more time than other batters and can place the ball wherever he wants in the field.
Kohli has scored 14,941 runs in 314 ODIs at an average of 58.59. His record includes 54 centuries and 79 fifties. His numbers in successful chases are even more impressive. He has scored 6,235 runs in 111 matches at an average of 89.07, including 24 centuries. In ODIs this year, he has scored 384 runs in six innings at an average of 64, with one century and three fifties.
For T20 cricket, Maxwell picked West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell. He highlighted his ability to bowl at around 140 kilometres per hour. Maxwell said Russell’s power is ridiculous and that he hits the ball very hard and far. He noted that Russell also bowls at pace and fields in important positions. He described Russell as a perfect cricketer. Russell has scored 9,919 runs in 607 T20s at a strike rate of 166.70. He has hit 808 sixes. He has also taken 535 wickets, including 10 four-wicket hauls and a five-wicket haul.
Maxwell chose his Australia teammate Steve Smith as the best Test cricketer he has seen. He recalled Smith’s outstanding performance during the 2017 Test tour of India. Smith scored 499 runs in eight innings with three centuries. Maxwell said Smith was batting on a different planet during that series. He felt lucky to be part of that squad and witness those performances. Smith is Australia’s fourth-highest Test run-scorer. He has scored 10,920 runs in 125 matches at an average of 56. He has 37 centuries and 45 fifties.
FAQs
Q. Who called Virat Kohli the greatest Indian athlete?
A. Navjot Singh Sidhu called him the greatest.
Q. How many ODI runs has Virat Kohli scored?
A. Kohli has scored 14,941 ODI runs.
Q. Who named Kohli the best ODI batter ever?
A. Glenn Maxwell named Kohli the best ODI batter.
Q. Who did Maxwell pick as the best T20 player?
A. Maxwell picked West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell.
Q. Who did Maxwell choose as the best Test cricketer?
A. Maxwell chose Australia’s Steve Smith.
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