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The ODI World Cup 2023 has witnessed some breathtaking cricketing action, showcasing remarkable performances from players and teams across the globe. In the midst of this excitement and fervour, former South Africa captain Graeme Smith has revealed his choice for the best white-ball cricketer, a player he believes exceeds the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.
Graeme Smith: A legendary captain and batter
Smith’s name is synonymous with leadership and exceptional batting prowess. He is not only one of South Africa’s greatest cricketing legends but also a world record holder. With 109 Test matches as captain under his belt, he holds the record for playing the most Test matches as skipper. Smith’s leadership skills are further underlined by his remarkable 53 wins in Test matches.
Apart from this, Smith’s credentials are equally impressive as a batter, having amassed over 16,000 runs across various formats, accompanied by a staggering 37 centuries. His enduring commitment to cricket is further highlighted by his current role as the SA20 League Commissioner.
Graeme Smith names the best white-ball cricketer
In the midst of the ODI World Cup 2023, Smith recently made headlines by picking the best white-ball cricketer. The South Africa great named India’s Virat Kohli as the best of all in limited over and emphasized that he surpassed the iconic Sachin Tendulkar according to him.
“Virat’s career has been incredible. But I think when you dig into his one-day stats and record, it is mind-blowing. I think the quality that he has produced right through his international career, in my opinion, he exceeds Sachin,” said Smith.
Also READ: Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi breaks Mitchell Starc’s record in One-Day Internationals
Smith’s high praise for Kohli did not end with the statistics. He also lauded the Delhi-born cricketer’s ability to perform under pressure, especially in chase situations.
“Virat is brilliant, particularly with chases. The way he controls chases, his ability to play a one-day game no matter what the situation is around him, and he is a key figure along with Rohit Sharma at the top of the order in terms of managing pressure as the tournament goes on and how well they play with the bat; he’s just a superstar,” he added.
It is worth mentioning that Virat is currently representing India in the ODI World Cup 2023 and is on the brink of equaling Sachin’s record of most ODI centuries. With 48 centuries to his name at the time of this revelation, Kohli has firmly established himself as one of the modern greats in the limited-overs format.
