Chaminda Vaas classifies Virat Kohli as ‘Different Class’

Former Sri Lankan bowler Chaminda Vaas has become the latest player to praise the exploits of RCB player Virat Kohli. The 42-year old who serves as a bowling coach for the Lankan team has stated that if he bowled to Virat Kohli, the latter would smash him for sixes all over the park. Vaas made an appearance in the local Mitsui Shoji T20 cricket final, representing Ghatkopar Jets against Mumbai Police City Riders at the Police Gymkhana where he showered heaps of praises on the 27-year old Indian Test skipper. Vaas has taken 761 wickets across the formats of cricket he has played in his career.

“If I am going to bowl to Virat, I am sure he will hit me for four sixes or six sixes.”

“The way he is batting is tremendous. He is a different class, different person. It’s admiring the way he takes the game and tries to dominate bowlers. He is a great asset for India.”

Chaminda Vaas also added that it would be very difficult to compare Virat Kohli and Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar. “Very difficult to describe. They are different eras. When Sachin was of Virat’s age, he did the same thing.

“He massacred bowlers. He scored 20,000 runs in Tests and ODIs and proved what top class batsman he is. Virat is still coming up. He will do the same thing,” he added.

Speaking on the longevity of his bowling career, Vaas added that fitness always came first as far as he was concerned. Vaas also played for English county Northamptonshire for 2-3 years before calling time on his career.

“I used to go cycling with my friends, climb trees, run a lot. I still climb trees when I get time. I have been into fitness since childhood.

“That is how I have been able to survive for so long and play for Northamptonshire injury free for 2-3 years in county cricket.”

“You cannot take shortcuts. It’s only 100 per cent fitness that will help you survive and play a massive amount of cricket – all formats and how to manage them.

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“Play two Tests, rest in one, play three ODIs then take rest, which is what most countries are doing.”

The Lankan also spoke about Ishant Sharma’s current dip in form, stating that he expected him to be like Javgal Srinath. “When Ishant started out, I thought he would surpass Javagal Srinath.

“The amount of cricket he is playing has put him under enormous pressure. He has to adapt to different versions of the game as the lengths are different. He can be a good Test bowler. He has to improve and must motivate himself to have the right attitude towards the game. One day, he’ll be like Srinath.”

He pointed out, “There is much more talent in our part of the world than Australia and England because we have a lot of grassroots-level cricket. There, a cricketer develops after he’s 18 or 19. But our cricketers start when they’re probably 11. It’s just that we’re not grooming them properly.”