NEW DELHI: West Indies great Chris Gayle believes that despite Virat Kohli‘s current poor form, he remains the best player in world cricket.
Going through a rough patch, Kohli, 36, was dismissed for just 5 in the second ODI against England in Cuttack on Sunday.
Gayle, who has shared the field with Kohli at Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL, maintains his confidence in the Indian star despite his current struggles.
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“He is still the best player in the world regardless of the form, Virat Kohli is still the best player, the stats prove that, how many centuries across formats he has scored as well,” Gayle said on the sidelines of an event here on Tuesday.
“It’s just one of those things that we cricketers go through in patches. I know it is coming at the back end of his career as well, but these things do happen, so he just needs to pick himself up and come back again.”
Kohli’s recent international cricket performance has been below par. His return to ODI cricket, a format he has historically dominated, was unsuccessful as he was dismissed by Adil Rashid after missing the first game due to knee issues.
When asked about Kohli’s potential to break Gayle’s Champions Trophy run record, Gayle responded: “It is easy for him just to get 200 runs (more to surpass Gayle). I don’t know how many games they will be playing but I am sure he can get over 200 runs, and I am sure he will get a century for sure, so it’s just a matter of time before he goes on to break that record.”
Gayle praised Indian captain Rohit Sharma, who recently surpassed his record for most sixes in ODI format.
“Congratulations to Rohit, sports always need a new entertainer and Rohit has been entertaining all these years as well I have done it alongside him. So he is the new king in town now. So congrats to him, and hopefully, he goes on to hit more sixes.”
Gayle acknowledged Abhishek Sharma‘s impressive century against England in the fifth T20I.
“I heard about his innings, it was a cracking innings and for a youngster to do such a thing on an international platform, is huge and fantastic.”
Gayle also expressed his disappointment at West Indies’ absence in the Champions Trophy.
“I am disappointed, no West Indies in the Champions Trophy but it is good to have the Champions Trophy back, so I am looking forward to it.
“Hopefully, it will be an entertaining one. I know it is actually taking place in Pakistan and Dubai, so hopefully, we will have some entertaining cricket.”
Asked to pick his semifinalists for the event starting February 19, Gayle said, “I’m going to be going off just my mind – India, England, Australia, and probably New Zealand.”
