Often cricket experts, former cricketers and fans get involved in a debate to pick the best player in modern-day cricket. Naturally, four names come up to the choice, and with no surprises, they all belong to fab four – a list which consists of batsmen like Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, and Joe Root.
Out of the above mentioned four blokes, many believe that Kohli and Smith are ahead from the rest and they are the best. Some say Kohli is the maestro, while some feel Smith is the top-class batsman.
Recently, former Australia pacer Brett Lee picked the best batsman in the world currently and now latest to drop opinion on the red hot topic is former Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara.
While speaking to cricket commentator Pommie Mbangwa during an Instagram LIVE session, Sangakkara gave his verdict and picked India captain as the best batsman in the world at present.
Sanga said this when Pommie played a rapid-fire round where the latter asked several questions. During the round, Pommie asked: “who is the best player in the world, at the moment?”
Sangakkara responded to the question and said: “Virat Kohli.”
The former wicket-keeper showed no hesitation in picking Kohli above the rest. However, when Pommie asked Sangakkara to name the best bowler at present, then the former Lankan did hesitate and said: “That’s a tricky one.”
“I think when it comes to spin, you have to admire Nathan Lyon. What he has done over the last few years, it has been incredible. The way he has bowled, it was not easy for any orthodox bowler coming in the game with his modern-day batsmen. He is incredible, probably worth saying; he is the best spinner,” said Sangakkara.
Among seamers, the Matale-born selected James Anderson as the best bowler in English conditions while Mitchell Starc and Jasprit Bumrah as the bowlers who could bowl in any situation. He further added that Bumrah needs to work on his fitness.
“When it comes to a fast bowler, in English conditions, you have to go with a guy like James Anderson; he is exceptional. But you also have to go with guys who can bowl in any conditions, so guys like Mitchell Starc, maybe even Jasprit Bumrah if he can keep his fitness. They are the kinds of bowlers who can challenge the batsmen with the kind of firepower they have,” added the 42-year-old.
Sangakkara was also quizzed to reveal the best bowler of all-time, to which he picked Muttiah Muralitharan and Wasim Akram as best spinner and seamer respectively.
“Fast bowler, definitely Wasim Akram, without a doubt. When it comes to spin bowling, it would definitely be Shane Warne. I, of course, had the luxury of not facing Muttiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas in international cricket, having kept to Murali, I will always say he is the best spinner ever to play the game,” Sangakkara added further.
