Kohli is world's best right now but Sachin is obviously no.1: Brett Lee

Former Australia pacer Brett Lee is very much involved in developing the next generation of fast bowlers. Lee is currently in India as the Indian brand ambassador of F45, Australia’s top functional training system, which will be training upcoming fast bowlers in India on fitness.

F45 or Functional 45 is a functional training system from Australia. It’s a 45-minute workout that is based on high-intensity, interval training and comprises a 15-minute rest period. During one such training session, Lee sat down for a chat with DNA and spoke about the program, fast bowling and his views about the Virat Kohli’s exploits.

“If somebody wants to put on a huge amount of muscle, F45 gym isn’t for them. This is about functional training, about working at a higher rate in terms of getting your heart rate up very high for 45 minutes. So when I came on board, I thought what I’ve done throughout my career as a fast bowler, I’ve trained the exact same way that this is set up. So, I know for a fact that with the training F45 will provide, it will make a lot of difference in making young fast bowlers get to their peak here in India,” Lee said.

Virat Kohli currently looks in phenomenal form. He has been batting like an immortal in recent times. When asked from a bowler’s perspective that what sets him apart from the rest of the bunch. He says, “Kohli is at a different level. A lot of people think he’s not human with what he has done this year. What Kohli has done over the last two years is that he has tightened up his technique, where he used to feel for the ball outside off stump and get nicked off. He’s so good with the short ball, so powerful in the ‘V’, so powerful down the crease. He plays traditional cricket shots in an IPL set-up.”

“He’s not Chris Gayle hitting big sixes, he’s got more sixes than anybody in IPL 2016 He is the classic, beautiful, perfect technique player. I’ve been so impressed with what I’ve seen of Kohli.”

Lee also shared what strategy he would employ when bowling to Kohli right now.

“In T20s, I’d have my first slip moved towards more of a fifth slip, sort of a fine gully because he loves to work the ball down to the third man. So, I’d block up that, make him try to come down the wicket at me and hit me over covers.”

Comparisons are inevitable, and many see Kohli as the Sachin Tendulkar of the 90’s. But, Lee had a clear and specific answer to the Kohli-Tendulkar comparison.

“They’re different players, and it’s too hard to compare eras. We can’t compare (Don) Bradman to Steve Waugh or Bradman to Sachin. We can’t compare Sachin to Kohli. Sachin didn’t play a lot of T20 cricket. You know, with 200 Test matches to his name, Sachin to me is obviously No. 1. In terms of what Kohli is doing, he’s certainly the world’s best batsman right now in my opinion.”

He also spoke about the other three young batsmen who are making the cricket world sit up and watch every time they bat – Steve Smith, Joe Root and Kane Williamson. He feels that each one of them are distinct and extraordinary;

“Kohli – Hungry, passionate, perfect technique.”

“Kane Williamson – Beautiful technique, very sound, likes spending time at the crease. He’s done really well for his country.”

“Steven Smith – A bit loose the way he plays, a bit more flamboyant, but very, very strong mindset. Great leader, loves scoring runs. His technique, which is not everyone’s bread and butter, is working for him, and he’s very effective in what he does.”

“Joe Root – His technique on seaming English wickets has proved that he can play on any surface around the world. He’s a guy that’s a very attacking batsman, and yet has a beautiful technique.”

“So, you’d say three of those four have got classic techniques. Probably Smith’s the one that’s got a different technique, but it’s working for him. Where Smith can score very quickly, the other guys might be more technically in the ‘V’. Smith can score behind square. So, everyone’s got their pros and cons, but these are four amazing batsmen in the world right now.”