Michael Vaughan believes Virat Kohli is the best batsman in the world across all formats

Sport360 staff 10:59 21/08/2018
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  • Michael Vaughan has labelled Virat Kohli the best batsman in the world across all formats after the India skipper registered his 23rd Test ton on Monday to put the visitors in command of the third Test against England at Trent Bridge.

    Kohli followed up his 97 in the first innings with a 103 in the second as India imposed a target of 521 for England to chase in the final innings.

    The former England skipper believes Kohli’s ability to succeed in all three formats separates him from the rest of the pack.

    “There are many really great players but he is the stand-out across all the three formats of this era by a country mile,” Vaughan told BBC’s Test Match Special.

    “He’s got the gift to play all around the wicket in every single format,” he added.

    The India skipper has banished his demons from the 2014 tour of England where he could only garner 134 runs in 10 innings at an average of 13.40.

    He is currently the leading run-scorer in the series by some distance having scored 440 runs in six innings at an average of 73.33.

    England’s Jonny Bairstow is the second highest run-scorer in the series with 206 runs.

    Kohli is the leading run-scorer in the series by some distance.

    Kohli is the leading run-scorer in the series by some distance.

    “He is a wonder player. There were questions about if he could bat in English conditions. No question in my mind; he is the best batsman in the world across all three formats. He is an unbelievable player,” said Vaughan.

    His views were echoed by England’s assistant coach Paul Farbrace who believes his side’s batsmen could learn from the way Kohli has gone about his business in the series.

    “You would be hard pressed to argue against him being seen as the best player in the world at the moment,” Farbrace said.

    “The way that he has developed, he has played fantastically in this series. I like the way that he plays the game. It’s fantastic to see someone playing the game in that way.

    “He’s a high-quality player and he’s shown that he’s learned a lot on this tour alone. He deserves the runs that he’s scored.

    “Our bowlers might argue that he’s been given too many chances, but he’s shown he is high quality.

    “I’m a big believer in players learning from players. Our players should be watching the way he has played.”

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