‘I would have Virat Kohli batting for me’ - Justin Langer picks Virat Kohli over Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara

Former Australia cricketer and head coach, Justin Langer, recently came forward and claimed that Virat Kohli was still the best batter in world cricket, despite his recent shortcomings. It is worth noting that after a century in Perth in the first Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024-25), Kohli failed to perform in the second and the third Test. 

Furthermore, Kohli departed on a score of 36 runs in the first innings of the fourth Test, which has attracted heaps of attention towards the veteran batter. With much scrutiny against his name in recent times, former Australia cricketer Justin Langer still came to Kohli’s defence. 

While on commentating duties, Langer answered Mark Waugh’s query on why he would bet his life and last dollar on Virat Kohli even though he had the privilege of playing alongside/against the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara.

“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 while commentating on air.

The reason why I say that is not because of the expansive shots: Langer

Furthermore, Justin Langer justified his decision by pointing out that Virat Kohli has a wide array of shots at his disposal. Moreover, the modern Indian batting great also possesses impeccable leadership qualities and supreme fitness.

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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,” Langer concluded.