Virat Kohli has scored a record 27 centuries in ODI batting second.
England pace legend James Anderson has lauded India’s Virat Kohli and called him the “greatest finisher and white ball batter ever". Anderson, the highest Test wicket-taking fast bowler, even put Kohli above Australia’s Michael Bevan.
"I do not know if there is been a better batter in the history of the game batting second and chasing down scores than Virat Kohli. His record at chasing is absolutely phenomenal. The number of hundreds he has scored in the second innings, chasing down scores is ridiculous,” Anderson said on Tailenders Podcast.
Anderson pointed out that Virat's strong sense of self-belief contributes to his excellent chasing skills.
"It is no surprise that when he gets in that situation, with his mentality, it is just like it is meant to be. His self-belief is so high," added Anderson.
When asked if Virat is the greatest white-ball batter of all time, Anderson responded that while Australia's Michael Bevan would produce impressive finishes for his team in the 1990s and early 2000s, Virat's centuries during winning chases make him the "greatest finisher" as well as one of the greatest white-ball batters of all time.
"I cannot say that. I was thinking more in terms of just chasing. [As for the best white-ball batter ever,] Michael Bevan from Australia comes to my mind, particularly in the late 1990s and early 2000s - he was just phenomenal coming in at number six and doing that job.
Kohli batting at number 3 gets those hundreds while Bevan was renowned for getting his 50s, 60s, and being at the end, while Kohli gets the big score, to get his teams over the line. I honestly can't think of a better finisher and greater white-ball players than him [Kohli]," Anderson said.
(ANI inputs)