Time for Virat Kohli to prove why he is the best batter in the world: Shane Warne

Virat Kohli shook the cricketing world a few weeks back when he suddenly announced his decision to give up India’s Test captaincy after the 1-2 series loss against South Africa. The 33-year-old has been going through a tough phase in the last two years without scoring an international century and was surprisingly removed from ODI captaincy as well. He is no longer a captain in any format for India and this might be the best time to rediscover himself and bring out the beast in terms of batting.

Shane Warne, who has always believed that Kohli is the best in the business combining all three formats, credited him for the success he had in captaincy over the years. Kohli is the most successful Indian Test captain with 40 wins in 68 Tests and India managed to win their first-ever series in Australia in 2019 under him. He has also taken India to No. 1 ranking from No. 7  when he was handed the role in 2014.

Shane Warne hopes Kohli starts making hundreds again

The Australian great, Warne, noted the difficulties in captaining a team like India, which has millions of supporters, and felt that Kohli did a fine job to keep performing with the bat despite the captaincy burden as well. The right-hander has already hit 70 international centuries and is still well on the way to breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 100 international centuries. However, his last century came way back in 2019 against Bangladesh in India’s first-ever pink-ball Test.

“I was a little surprised like everyone. Virat has been a wonderful captain for India but it’s also very tough with the expectations of over a billion people. It’s going to be really tough for him… I don’t think anyone could captain India for a long period of time in all forms of the game and continue to bat at a higher level.”

Warne also expects Kohli to rediscover himself with the bat and prove why he is rated as the best in the business. He also praised India for its dominance in world cricket in the last few years under Kohli.

“So I think it’s a great opportunity now for Virat to go back and prove to himself and everyone why he is the best batter in the world. And hope he can concentrate on his batting and start making hundreds in all forms of the game again. I hope that’s what happens. He has inspired his teammates. India have played a fantastic brand of cricket and let’s hope that continues.”