Virat Kohli's attitude is as ruthless as Viv Richards: Alvin Kallicharran

India skipper Virat Kohli has been in sublime form in the ongoing ODI series against South Africa. Combined with his aggression and dexterity, Kohli’s performance has been right from the top drawer. In the three matches that have been played, the 29-year-old scored centuries on two occasion and a 46 not out, playing a pivotal role to guide India over the rope in each instance.

Lauding the batting dynamo for his efforts, one of cricket’s all-time greats and former captain of the West Indies team, Alvin Kallicharran compared him to the great Vivian Richards. Chief guest at a cricket tournament organized in UP’s Pilibhit, he revealed to TOI that he never misses a chance to watch Kohli play.

Both Kohli and Richards portray similar attributes- a fearless attitude with an audacious batting approach. Speaking on the same lines, Kallicharran who has played with Richards said, “The attitude is strong in both. I am one person who wouldn’t like to compare players. But Kohli’s attitude is as ruthless as Viv’s was. Kohli seems to have some of those qualities. He is a successful captain. As a batsman, he is a phenomenon. Always hungry. His consistency is tremendous.”

Kohli smashes records

After being stuck with poor fortunes in the longer format, the Virat Kohli-led side came back strong as they registered a hat-trick of wins against the Proteas. And it was the skipper who once again led the attack in the 3rd ODI with a scintillating 160 to take the visitors to a comfortable total of 303

With the majestic ton, Kohli also shattered a host of records. He went past Sourav Ganguly’s (127 in Johannesburg in 2001) in the list of highest individual scores by an Indian batsman against South Africa in the rainbow nation. The 29-year-old also became the second opposition captain to score 150 runs in South Africa (the 1st being Ricky Ponting in 2006 at Johannesburg).

This also marks his 54th International century which makes him the outright 5th-most prolific century-maker in international cricket