World Cup 2019: Virat Kohli is not human, he is a run-machine, says Brian Lara

Brian Lara said Virat Kohli is someone who scores almost every time he goes out to bat and is a great example for all the young and upcoming cricketers.

Windies legend Brian Lara was all praise for Virat Kohli, saying that the Indian skipper is ‘not human’ and pretty much a run-machine as has brought a different cricketer to the table. Lara said that Kohli is someone who scores almost every time he goes out to bat and is a great example for all the young and upcoming cricketers. "He is a machine. He has brought a different cricketer to the table than what we were accustomed to back in the 80s and 90s. Fitness was always important, but it wasn't as important as it has become now. For the amount of cricket that is being played, you got to be physically fit. He is someone who spends time in the gym and shows working on your fitness is the key. He is pretty much a run-machine," Lara told IANS. "A guy is going out and scoring runs almost every single time he goes out to bat. Sachin Tendulkar to me is one of the greatest of all times and he had his opportunity and he left a great legacy so I wouldn't want to compare the two. But Kohli is a special talent and is a great example for all the young and upcoming cricketers," he pointed. The batting maestro also had his say on India star pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who is popularly considered as the current best bowler in the World. "First of all, if I was facing him, I would look to get off the strike (laughs). He is very good and someone who has an awkward action. Batsman have to keep their eyes on him and I would maybe try to apply pressure on him by rotating the strike. He is one of India's best bowlers and then maybe you can look at other areas to get runs from," Lara told IANS. Lara believes that not giving the India pacer the opportunity to settle down in line and length can be the key to succeed against him. "I don't believe counter attacking against such a good bowler is a great idea. He might have a one-off bad day and then batsmen can capitalise but generally he has had very good days. I think I would look to pay that respect," he explained.