Former Australia captain Mark Taylor has heaped rich praises on Indian captain Virat Kohli ahead of the series between the two sides. The ODIs begin from November 27 in Sydney, while the T20Is will start from December 4 and the Test series will get underway from December 17.

The first Test will be the first-ever pink-ball Test between these two sides and will be played in Adelaide. This will also be the only Test match Virat Kohli will be playing before flying back to India to be present for the birth of his first child, who is expected in January 2021.

Ahead of the much-anticipated series, Mark Taylor was all praises for the Indian captain and called him ‘powerful guy in world cricket.’

“I think he is a very powerful guy in world cricket, but I think he does a very good job to walk that fine line in being an aggressive cricketer and also a statesman. I think he's doing it very well," Taylor was quoted as saying by The Sydney Morning Herald.

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Accepting the notion that the talismanic Indian batsman could be the most powerful figure in the game, Taylor believes it's a title that sits well with Kohli.

"I think he treats that responsibility with great respect. He's still very much his own person when you watch him play. I've always found him in the times I've spoken to him to be very respectful to the game and those playing it and those who have played it,” Taylor said.

These words from Taylor came after the current Australian head coach Justin Langer called Kohli "probably the best player" he has seen in his life.

"Virat Kohli is probably the best player I've ever seen in my life for so many reasons, not only batting but his energy and passion for the game, the way he fields,” Langer said.  

He was also appreciative of Kohli’s decision to fly back to India to be with his wife, actress Anushka Sharma for the birth of their first child.  

“I've also got respect for him in the sense that he's made this decision (to return for the birth). He's a human being like all of us... if I was giving advice to any of my players I would always say never, ever miss the birth of your children because it is one of the great things you'll ever do," he added.

(IANS inputs)