Virat Kohli is the most Australian non-Australian cricketer of all time: Greg Chappell

Former Australian batting great Greg Chappell heaped praises on Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli saying he is the “most Australian non-Australian cricketer of all time.” The former Indian coach also feels that there is stiff competition among Kane Williamson, Steve Smith, and Virat Kohli for claiming the title of the batsman of this era.

Speaking about the transition in the Indian team from following the Gandhian principle of peace to being one of the most aggressive teams of the modern-era, Greg asserted that former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly was the first person to change the approach and Virat Kohli is carrying his legacy forward. The veteran feels that Virat doesn’t believe in passive cricket and is always looking to dominate his opposition.

“Many previous Indian cricket teams tended to play with undue deference to their opponents, as if in accord with the Gandhian principle. Sourav Ganguly was the first Indian captain to try to change that approach. It worked to a degree in India, but usually hit a hurdle overseas,” Chappell wrote in ‘Sydney Morning Herald’.

“Virat Kohli does not believe in passive resistance. He is a proponent of all-out aggression. His idea is to dominate the opposition. Kohli is the most Australian non-Australian cricketer of all time. He embodies the new India. As the premier player and captain of the world’s pre-eminent cricket power, he feels an abiding responsibility to the wider game.” he added.

The Indian skipper loves playing Test cricket and has often openly discussed his admiration for the purest format of the game. Detailing his opinion on the same, Chappell said that Kohli is tremendously influential and he is also under the most pressure but the fact that Kohli champions Test cricket is a huge plus for a format under pressure for time and space in a crowded schedule.

Sir Viv would be proud to have played some of the innings that Kohli has played: Greg Chappell

The Australian veteran opined on Kohli’s sweet gesture towards Steve Smith during the 2019 World Cup saying that he was illuminating and heartening to watch. He also believes Smith is a little ahead of Smith statistically but it would be an impossible task for any cricket pundit to answer who is better between Kohli and Smith.

“His response to the Indian supporters who booed Steve Smith at The Oval during the 2019 World Cup was illuminating and heartening. The brash youngster had morphed into a senior statesman.”

“Steve Smith and Kane Williamson vie with Kohli for the mantle of the best batsman of their era. Smith holds a handy lead statistically, but it would be a brave pundit who would split them. Kohli, though, is the most important one in the context of world cricket.”