Australian spin legend Shane Warne heaped rich praise on Virat Kohli, saying the right-handed batter is a terrific cricketer and great ambassador for the game, especially for Test cricket.

He further said that Kohli is an "inspirational leader" and credited him for keeping the sanctity of the traditional format of the game – Test cricket alive amid the rise of franchise leagues.

Warne said that the entire cricket world should thank Kohli and BCCI for promoting Test cricket and maintaining its popularity among the fans because, without their constant efforts and the way they promoted Test cricket, many countries would have lost interest in the five-day format.

Notably, Kohli recently stepped down as India’s Test captain after his team’s 1-2 defeat against a relatively weaker South African side. Earlier, Kohli was replaced as ODI captain after he decided to quit the T20I captaincy, with Rohit Sharma taking over the reins.

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Warne told Press Trust of India: “Virat was a very good leader and he inspired his teammates. I think on the tactical side he could have improved on but as far as being a leader is concerned, I think he inspired his teammates all the time.”

He added, “First of all I have got nothing but the utmost respect for Virat Kohli. I think he is a terrific cricketer and a great ambassador for the game. I think we should all thank Virat Kohli and the BCCI for pushing Test cricket and because it’s the no 1 format.”

Warne signed off by saying, “If you want to test yourself in cricket, then it's Test cricket. The test is the hardest form of our sport. If India and Virat Kohli wouldn’t have put the emphasis on Test cricket, a lot of other countries might have just fallen away, but through Virat, he really pushed Test cricket. I for one is very thankful to Virat and BCCI for the way he goes about it and he is fantastic for the game.”