In a recent interaction, ‘Little Master’ Sunil Gavaskar has claimed that Indian captain Virat Kohli bats exactly like former West Indies’ great Vivian Richards.
Gavaskar made such claims while reiterating his experiences during India’s maiden World Cup-winning campaign in 1983.
During the era Sunny played in, West Indies were a dominant force and popularly acclaimed as world-beaters.
But, Richards gained all the limelight due to his batting masterclass which was detailed by Sunny, who witnessed it first-hand.
“It was challenging to keep Viv Richards quiet when he was at the crease,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports’ show ‘Winning the Cup — 1983’.
Kohli added another feather to his cap by copping huge praises from Gavaskar who compared his batting with the Antiguan.
“Similarly, if you look at Virat Kohli‘s batting today, in the same ball and same line. He will use his top hand and score a boundary towards the extra cover region and will use the bottom hand and score a boundary towards the mid-on and mid-wicket region,” Sunny added.
Kohli, over the years, went on to endorse a positive style of batting even in Test cricket and is often known to have more than a couple of shots in the bag for the same delivery.
“That’s why Virat Kohli is considered as the No. 1 player because he bats exactly like Viv Richards. Earlier, Gundappa Vishwanath, V.V.S. Laxman used to bat like this,” he said.
Back then, Richards batted at a blistering strike-rate and was believed to be a player ahead of his time. Many even affirmed that Richards would have loved T20 cricket, as his batting style was tailor-made for the format.
“I always felt I was good enough to be competing, and I wanted to express myself in the best way that I can/ I see that little similarity in you and that same passion in you. There are times when folks would look at us and say, ‘Wow, why are they so angry’.” Richards told Kohli when India toured West Indies in August 2019.
