Former England cricketer turned commentator David Lloyd has heaped praise on Virat Kohli, saying that the Indian captain is a ‘damaging’ player.
Kohli notched up his 23rd Test century during the Trent Bridge Test to help India register a thumping 203-run victory over England. The India skipper now has 58 centuries to his name in international cricket.
“Sachin Tendulkar was aesthetically very pleasing, easy on the eye. But if I had to win a game I would have banked on Brian Lara and I see that trait in Kohli. He is a bit like Viv Richards too – he can absolutely dominate an era. Sachin was a great player but Kohli can inflict more damage,” Lloyd was quoted saying by Times of India.
“The way he (Kohli) constantly talks and inspires the bowlers is quite a treat,” he added.
During the 2014 England tour, Kohli had aggregated only 134 runs at a dismal average of 13.40 in five Test matches. However, he was determined to do well this time around. The 29-year-old waged a lone battle in the first Test at Edgbaston, scoring a magnificent 149 in the first innings and followed it with a flawless 51 in the second dig.
Virat has aggregated 440 runs in six innings in this series, becoming only the second Indian captain after Mohammad Azharuddin (426) to do so on English soil.
Talking about Kohli’s prowess as a captain, Llyod said: “He obviously gets the respect because he is a fabulous player, but you can see that the emotion apart, he is very honest with his players as well. There’s been a massive turnaround in this Indian team in the way quick bowlers have taken over completely and I feel Kohli is the perfect man to develop them. He looks a natural leader."
“Kohli is such a broadcaster’s delight, he goes through every emotion on the field. I have met him outside cricket too, he is so polite, but on the field, he is so animated and it’s impossible to take the camera off him,” he continued.
With the victory at Trent Bridge, Team India kept the five-Test series alive. However, Llyod feels it would be difficult for the visitors to clinch the series by winning the remaining two Tests.
“Well, no other team but for Don Bradman’s 1936 side has done it…So it will be difficult. But in England this season, teams getting 300 should be in a position to win and I believe India would be in the game,” he signed-off.
While Southampton will host the fourth Test from August 30, the fifth and final Test will be played at The Oval from September 7.
