IND vs ENG 2024: Virat Kohli is the best batter of this era, says Shoaib Akhtar

Former Pakistan gun fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has tipped Virat Kohli as the best batter of this era. Kohli has been a consistent performer in all three forms of the game and he will look to be at his best in the upcoming five-match Test series against England.

The talisman has amassed 8848 runs in 113 Test matches at an impressive average of 49.16. Furthermore, Kohli has ​​scored 1991 runs in 28 Test matches against England at an average of 42.36 and thus he needs nine more runs to complete 2000 runs.

Meanwhile, Kohli has scored 4144 runs in 50 Test matches in the Indian conditions at an impressive average of 60.05. The linchpin finished the ODI World Cup as the highest run-getter with 765 runs in 11 matches at an average of 95.62 and a strike rate of 90.32. Ergo, he was awarded Player of the tournament for his consistent performances.

Akhtar compared Virat Kohli with legendary Sachin Tendulkar and said Kohli would have been competitive in the previous era.

“Back then, Sachin was playing with one ball, which would reverse swing against some of the best bowlers in the world. There was only one circle. Today, Sachin would have made a lot of runs. He is the greatest ever with Ricky Ponting, Brian Lara etc. Wasim Akram and Shane Warne too. Virat would have been competitive (in our era),” said Akhtar on the sidelines of the International League T20 league.

The Rawalpindi Express, as he was known during his heydays, said Kohli would have been successful in the previous era.

“He could have faced difficulties but he would have scored the runs he has scored now. We would have faced a similar beating. But playing Wasim Akram is not easy. Virat is Virat. He is the greatest batsman of this era. Both eras cannot be compared. Hats off to him. I want him to get hundred centuries,” Akhtar added.

Kohli has amassed 26,733 runs in 522 international matches across formats, averaging 54.11, including 80 centuries.

India and England will take on each other in the first Test match from 25th January onwards at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad.