Justin Langer picks ‘gladiatorial’ Virat Kohli over Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara-OxBig News Network

Former Australia batter Justin Langer said that Virat Kohli is the best batter that he has ever seen. Speaking ahead of Day 3 of the 4th Test match between India and Australia, Langer rated Virat Kohli ahead of Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara for his gladiatorial attitude and incredible fitness.

Langer said Kohli would be the one player he would watch if he was given a choice between the greats of the game. Langer, who has played 105 Test matches for Australia, rated the former India captain ahead of the legendary Ricky Ponting.

“You asked me Mark why I said yesterday that Virat Kohli is the best player that I have ever seen. There were a few raised eyebrows, but he actually is. We talk about Sachin, what a player. It was one of the privileges of my life to play against Sachin Tendulkar and, of course, with Ricky Ponting and Brian Lara. If I had my last rupee or my last dollar, I would pay to watch Brian Lara bat, but if I had my life and my last dollar, and both of them together, I would have Virat Kohli batting for me,” Langer said during commentary on Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test.

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“The reason why I say that is not because of the expansive shots, his cover drives or his hook shots. But you just saw, the way he is watching the ball, his running between the wicket, his fielding, his gladiatorial style of leadership. His elite fitness level, everything that he’s brought to the table. His numbers speak for themselves. You can never argue with data. Those are the reasons, why he is the best player I have ever seen. And we have seen a lot of them. But he is the one player, I think; if I had to put my money on, he would be the one,” he further said.

Kohli has had a difficult time in the Boxing Day Test match so far. After a bust-up with debutant Sam Konstas, Kohli was booed by the MCG crowd. The batter looked in exceptional touch in India’s first innings, but later was involved in a mega mix-up with Yashasvi Jaiswal, resulting in a run-out of the youngster. The incident flustered Kohli, which resulted in the batter getting dismissed for 36 off 86 balls.