Dale Steyn gives his verdict on Sachin Tendulkar vs Virat Kohli Debate

Dale Steyn shares a crucial advice for Indian bowlers against Australia ahead of Down Under.

Dale Steyn working hard to break into South African World Cup 2019 squad | Getty Images

South African fast-bowling star, Dale Steyn, has cleverly declined to take sides in the greatest debate ever – Sachin Tendulkar Vs Virat Kohli on Tuesday (December 40), saying “they would have been the same”.

During an exclusive interview with NDTV, Steyn was asked to draw a comparison of the two greats –Tendulkar and Kohli and who has been more difficult to bowl, as the legendary fast bowler played against both Indian batting greats in his prime.

Steyn, one of the fiercest and versatile fast-bowlers in the last 15 years, believes that the game has now changed a lot since Tendulkar’s era when the batting maestro was the pioneer for getting the game to push in terms of run rate, but now there are lots of players like Sachin doing that in the modern era.

The 35-year-old put an end to Tendulkar Vs Kohli debate by saying that the Indian skipper would end his career at the almost same height the little master was, keeping in mind his hunger to score runs.

Steyn said of Kohli-Tendulkar debate, “The game has changed a lot since Sachin's days. He was one of the pioneers for getting the game to push in terms of run rate. He was the first guy to score a double-hundred in ODIs. Whenever we played against them in India, he was the one getting a strike rate of 100, while others used to be around 80. However, these days, 100 is the norm. There are lots of Sachins out there today. Kohli is a fantastic player. Had Sachin played in the same gear as Kohli, who is in the best form of his life right now, they would have been the same.”

Meanwhile, Steyn, who is currently playing in the Mzansi Super League 2018, said the last two years were really hard for him and he is doing all whatever he can to make it to the South African squad for the ICC's showpiece event –ICC World Cup 2019 in England.

The paceman further added, “The last two years were really hard as I lost almost two years of my playing career. I played almost 13-14 (years) without any injuries. It was 12 years of international career, the longest injury being a couple of months due to a broken thumb. It was not too difficult to stay motivated. I enjoyed the break. Then it was all about getting back and going again. Once you miss the game you can do anything to get back in the fold again.”

He also commented on the upcoming four-match Test series between Australia and India, suggesting the Indian bowlers to bowl straight to put pressure on the hosts.

Steyn signed off by saying, “Any time you play against Australia it's tough. As a bowler, mark lengths, bowl straight, put them under pressure. The conditions are always going to be tough for any batsman. If you are fielding near fine-leg make sure you have the 12th man with you to take the heat off as the crowds get really abusive from time to time.”

(With NDTV Inputs)

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 04 Dec, 2018

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