Wasim Jaffar, a former Indian opener and Mumbai great, thinks Virat Kohli will keep playing for at least three to four more years and is on track to break Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 100 international centuries. With his most recent in the Champions Trophy in Dubai, India’s decisive six-wicket win over Pakistan, Kohli, 36, presently has 82 international hundreds across all formats.
Before this, Kohli suffered runs at home. “As a cricket enthusiast, you wish to see Virat as often as possible.” No one wants him to go out with the form he was in (against Pakistan). During the launch of India Corporate T20 Bash (ICBT20), a business cricket league, Jaffer said on Wednesday, “Everyone is happy when he runs; and I’m confident everybody would want Virat to play three or four more years and destroy all records.
The century record seems like one Virat is going to break. Sachin Tendulkar’s 100 centuries looked unassailable, but Virat’s run since 2010 appears to contradict that. He added that Sachin Tendulkar will also be quite delighted if Virat breaks that.
Apart from lavishing Shubman Gill with compliments, Jaffer, a steering committee member of the league, said it is unfair to contrast him with Kohli.
“Judging Shubman with Virat Kohli would be hard on him; Shubman is finding his own path. He is a wonderful cricketer.
Man-of-the-series in England series, he got a strong start in the Champions Trophy and I trust he will follow through since everyone expects much from him. He and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s type will carry Indian batting ahead.
“He is good to view the manner in which he is playing cricket,” he remarked.
The former South African opener Herschelle Gibbs, the ICBT20 brand ambassador, agreed with Jaffer and said that Kohli still has many years of cricket ahead of him.
“I believe its a long time because of his (Kohli&’s) fitness and his hunger; he can certainly go for at least another four years. He is in the same situation as AB de Villiers; AB could have retired a little too soon, but their fitness and appetite were always flawless. Gibbs claimed, “Virat is three times hungrier for runs.
Gibbs declared India to be the leading contenders for the Champions Trophy and praised Gill as a “special player”; Gibbs also praised “the way he impressively handles pressure especially when chasing in ODI cricket.”
“Shubman is a special talent, he is technically correct and a bit more gifted,” he said.
“India are clearly the favourites; they appear very competent. South Africa, on the other hand, are clearly in a decent position; I get their history with significant events, but I hope they can correct it so that India and South Africa make the final. India, however, appears menacing.” The ICBT20 will feature six teams — Bengaluru Avengers, Delhi Kings, Gurugram Spartans, Gujarat Diamonds, Hyderabad Royals and Mumbai Champions in the inagural season to be held here in May.