Former Australian great Ian Chappell has heaped praise on Indian batting icon Virat Kohli to state that the 35-year-old is the best batter of the current cricketing era ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 final in Ahmedabad. (Preview | Streaming | Scorecard | Full Coverage)
Kohli's form in the ongoing Cricket World Cup 2023 final has been exemplary to say the least. The Indian batting superstar has amassed 711 runs across 10 innings in the marquee tournament and eclipsed the previous record held by Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar if 673 runs recorded in the 2003 edition.
Kohli has been exceptional throughout the tournament where he topped the run-scoring charts with an average of 101.
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The numbers speak for itself with three centuries and five half-centuries against top opposition. The one that stands out so far is his masterful knock of 117 against New Zealand in the semi-final, which was his 50th ODI ton and watched by the master himself Sachin Tendulkar and football great David Beckham.
Chappell said he liked Kohli's attitude during games and thinks the former India captain has a terrific approach to batting. Chappell also praised Kohli's fitness.
“No, we haven’t. (on Smith’s best form). Let’s go back to Kohli first. He doesn’t anymore but there was a point in his career where he averaged over 50 in all three formats. Now, that’s remarkable performance. I think Kohli is probably the best batsman of this era.
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“I like his attitude. I heard him interviewed about batting and I think’s he’s got a terrific approach to batting. The other thing to look at is his fitness. He is 36-years of age, have a look at how he was running between the wickets. He is obviously put fitness right up there," said Chappell
India play Australia in the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 on Sunday in Ahmedabad.
