Virat Takes Game To Opposition, Stands For His Players: Botham Heaps Praises On Indian Skipper

“Virat takes the game to the opposition, he takes a stand for his players. I would have loved to play against him. He is the right guy to take Indian cricket forward,” Botham said.

Photo: AFP

India captain Virat Kohli has etched his name as one of the greatest with the willow in the modern era of cricket. Virat has established himself as the batting spearhead of a potent Indian batting lineup and has played many a match winning innings in all forms of the game. Kohli's staggering consistency and humongous run scoring penchant has earned him many admirers both within his team and also among his opponents. Joining the list of Kohli's ever growing fan base was England legend Ian Botham who heaped praises on the 'Chase Master' while giving an interview to Times Of India. The legendary English all-rounder said that he holds the Indian cricketer in very high regards and said that he would have loved to play against him. “Virat takes the game to the opposition, he takes a stand for his players. I would have loved to play against him. He is the right guy to take Indian cricket forward,” Botham said. The former England allrounder also went on to give his take on  why there are not too many all-rounders present in modern-day cricket. “All-rounders can’t be manufactured, they don’t grow on trees. The workload is double and it obviously takes a toll on your body. Just imagine Kapil… the amount of bowling he did on those Indian pitches, which had very little to offer, that too in the scorching heat of Chennai and Delhi. I can’t see anyone in the present generation being able to do that,” he said.