I love watching Virat Kohli bat: Mickey Arthur

Boot camps and hard fitness regimes are a trademark of incumbent Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur. The former South Africa and Australia head coach have gone on to lead Pakistan into what seems to be a renaissance of sorts. However, when asked about who he felt was the best batsman in the world, the South African was rather quick to point out that Virat Kohli was one who impressed him with his batting acumen.

27-year old Virat Kohli has ascended to perhaps the best batsman in the world having impressed with some impressive knocks in the calendar year across different formats of the game. Mickey Arthur, who has coached the likes of Hansie Cronje and Gary Kirsten has stated that he sits down and watches Kohli bat each time the Indian skipper makes his way out to the middle to bat.

“I love watching Virat… He’s phenomenal and is one batsman I sit down and watch whenever he comes to the crease. He’s right up there with the best I’ve seen… I still recall his 141 in the second innings of the Adelaide Test almost two years ago. He’d got a hundred (115) in the first innings as well,” Arthur told in an interview to the Telegraph.

Arthur also went on to single out a few big names in terms of modern-day cricketers. He also mentioned that the likes of Joe Root and David Warner are also a few who could play across all formats. Arthur also went on to add that he was impressed with the attitude Kohli has shown as an Indian captain.

Also read – Fierce competitors on field Lee and Tendulkar show mutual admiration

“As I’ve said, Virat’s phenomenal… So is AB de Villiers… Joe Root is very good and David Warner’s fantastic. Having made a mark first in the T20 format, Warner had the shots. He’d lacked a good defense. Not so now… Indeed, after the early years, he’s taken his game to another level. I’m an admirer of Warner and follow his performances,” he said.

“Virat’s an interesting captain… He’s exuberant and very passionate about what he does. His passion for the top job comes through in abundance,” the former South African and Australian coach said.

Also read – When I come back, I wish to take off from where I left: KL Rahul