Batting great Sunil Gavaskar on Sunday described Virat Kohli as the greatest ODI cricketer of all time and said the Indian legend’s world record of centuries shows his unmatched stature in the format. Kohli scored his 52nd ODI century on Sunday, scoring 135 off 120 balls as India scored 349 for eight against South Africa in the first ODI.
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Gavaskar told ‘Geostar’, “I don’t think there is any doubt about it.” I mean it’s just I don’t think. I think everyone who has played with him and against him agrees that he is the greatest in the ODI format. Look, you have scored 52 centuries. It takes you very high, one can say.” Former Indian captain said that Australia’s Ricky Ponting had also acknowledged Kohli’s ability.
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Gavaskar said, “I just heard that Ricky Ponting said that Kohli is the best he has seen in ODI cricket. I mean, when an Australian captain says Kohli is the best, I don’t think there is any room for debate. Everyone would agree that it is very rare to get praise from an Australian. Gavaskar said that surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record of 51 ODI centuries gives Kohli a different identity. “You know Sachin was on top with 51 centuries but when you leave the great Sachin Tendulkar behind, you realize where you stand,” he said. Gavaskar termed South Africa coach Shukri Conrad’s controversial ‘bringing down’ comment on India as ‘ill-advised’.
“It may have been an ill-advised comment – wrong time, wrong place,” he said. I hope he will talk about this next time he talks to the media. I don’t think there is any need to apologize. I personally don’t believe in forgiveness.” Gavaskar said, ”But accepting it and making amends would be acceptable to everyone. Such things happen. In the heat of the moment, you may get carried away and say something that might be too much. Given the strong relationship between Indian and South African cricket over the last 30 years I think he could simply clarify that he had got a little carried away.