Veteran cricketer Harbhajan Singh has declared Indian skipper Virat Kohli as the best captain in the world at the moment while predicting he will do something special than others as captain.
Besides being one of the greatest batsmen in the world, Kohli has also exceptional record as an Indian cricket captain, as he is already the most successful Indian captain with 29 wins in 49 Tests.
On Thursday (October 10), the right-hander will also break another record, will overtake Sourav Ganguly (49) when he will walk onto the field to lead India his 50th Test in the Pune Test against South Africa.
Despite his records, the 30-year-old has had to face some serious questions over his selection calls and some on-field decisions, but veteran off-spinner said he is doing a great job for India both as captain and batsman.
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Harbhajan told India Today, “If you see Virat's (captaincy) record, he has won a number of matches than any other (Indian) captain. There are only a few other names (international captains) who have won more Tests than him. So, he must be doing something better than others.”
He continued, “Whether people like it or not that's their opinion. In my opinion, he is doing a great job for India as a leader, showing how to win games not just in India but overseas too. The way he handled pressure in Australia, was remarkable. There were a lot of expectations on him not just as a captain but also as a batsman, and he came out like a champion. I hope he achieves the milestones; he has set for himself. He wants to be the best captain in the world and in my opinion, he is the best.”
Meanwhile, Harbhajan has also rich praise for Rohit Sharma while urging management to continue with him as a Test opener, though, he denied to compare him with Virender Sehwag having seen both from close quarters.
He explained, “I don't want to compare Rohit with anyone. But yes, Virender Sehwag had the biggest impact on the opposition. If you didn't get Sehwag out, you would find him batting on 250 or 270 by the end of day's play. Rohit is no less and is more than capable of scoring big in a similar fashion."
"Rohit has a better technique (than Sehwag) and he could be even more dangerous. With Sehwag, you knew he will go after you once he was set but with Rohit, he will play those shots that you would think he is not looking to play but will still hit you far enough.
This is the best decision that the team management has taken in the recent past. I think, with Rohit opening and scoring those runs in that fashion, it is a great for Indian cricket going forward. I would like the management to continue with him for at least 8-10 games.”
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On the ongoing Freedom Trophy, Harbhajan feels South Africa will find it really tough to bounce back in the ongoing Test series while claiming the toss will play a crucial role in the outcome of the Pune Test. He also predicted 3-0 win in favor of the hosts against South Africa.
He added, “I don't think South Africa will be able to get the result they want. India is way too strong for them. Toss also becomes very crucial. If you see the Vizag Test, there wasn't much for the bowlers in the first two days. So, South Africa will have to win the toss, bat well to post something around 450 and then bowl well.”
Harbhajan signed off by saying, “But unfortunately, I don't think South Africa has the bowlers to trouble this Indian batting. It should be 3-0 (series win in favor of India) but will also depend on the surface. Last game at Pune, we saw a rank turner. But keeping surface aside, India should sweep South Africa 3-0.”
(With India Today Inputs)
