Former England captain Michael Brearley has called Indian captain Virat Kohli “a genius batsman” and even went on to rate him as the “best batsman” in the world at the moment.

The dashing right-hander has made a lot of fans across the globe over the year with not only his exceptional batting but also his excellent leadership skills and kind gestures off the field, and this time around, Brearley was bowled over by Kohli’s batting acumen ahead of India’s crucial series in and against Australia.

He was all praise for Kohli, who has been on top of his game, proving his mettle overseas as well, saying the way the 30-year-old is bringing back the classic way of batting to every format of the game is amazing.  

Brearley told reporters on Monday (November 19), “He (Kohli) is a wonderful batsman, the best batsman in the world. He averages over 50 (and) has a very good rate of scoring in T20s, One Day Internationals and Test cricket. He forms a bridge between these different forms of batting and brings classic batsmanship to T20 cricket. I think he is sort of a genius as a batsman.”

Meanwhile, the Englishman also believes that India is favorite against Australia even on the Kangaroos' soil, as the current Virat Kohli-led side is as good as ever with the best ever bowling attack in their ranks.

Brearley signed off by saying, “I think they (India) are probably as good as ever as they have been going to Australia. Their top bowlers are very, very good and we were all impressed by them in England.”

Noteworthy, India kick-starts their full-fledged series against Australia with the first T20 International of the three-match series at the Gabba on November 21 followed by four Tests and three ODIs.

(With Press Trust of India Inputs)