Justin Langer has chosen struggling India batter Virat Kohli to bat for his life over the likes of legendary batters like Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara. This comes after Kohli made 36 in the ongoing 4th BGT 2024 Test in MCG on day 2.
Kohli's tenacious effort ended in defeat late on Day 2 of the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Friday. The Indian maestro was caught behind by Scott Boland, succumbing to the dangerous fourth and fifth stump lines that he had steadfastly avoided during his stay.
His 102-run third-wicket partnership with youthful Yashasvi Jaiswal provided much-needed steadiness following the early dismissals of Rohit Sharma (3) and KL Rahul (24), putting India in contention.
However, the promising stand came to an end due to a misunderstanding between Kohli and Jaiswal, which resulted in the latter being run out for an impressive 82.
Just seven balls later, Kohli succumbed to playing the ball outside off-stump off Boland and went back for just 36 runs. India ended day 2 on 164/5 with Pant and Jadeja at the crease.
Langer, who has played with giants like Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Brian Lara, and Steve Waugh, has enough of reasons to admire Kohli.
The Australian great is so confident in Kohli's ability that he has boldly claimed that he would bet his life and everything he has on him.
"You asked me Mark why I said yesterday that Virat Kohli is the best player that I have ever seen. There were a few raised eyebrows, but he actually is. We talk about Sachin… What a player. It was one of the privileges of my life to play against Sachin Tendulkar and, of course, with Ricky Ponting and Brian Lara. If I had my last rupee or my last dollar, I would pay to watch Brian Lara bat, but if I had my life and my last dollar, and both of them together, I would have Virat Kohli batting for me," Langer said during commentary on Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test.
Langer stated why he believes this, complimenting Kohli's work ethic, leadership abilities, and penchant for delivering in high-stakes circumstances as attributes that have distinguished him.
"The reason why I say that is not because of the expansive shots, his cover drives, or his hook shots. But you just saw, the way he is watching the ball, his running between the wicket, his fielding, his gladiatorial style of leadership. His elite fitness level, everything that he's brought to the table. His numbers speak for themselves. You can never argue with data. Those are why he is the best player I have ever seen. And we have seen a lot of them. But he is the one player, I think; if I had to put my money on, he would be the one," he further said.
India still trails by 310 runs to Australia’s 474 and needs 110 runs more to avoid follow-on in Melbourne.
