Former India coach Greg Chappell sings praises of Virat Kohli, calls him 'most complete Indian batsman of my time'

Mesmerised by way Virat Kohli floored arch-rivals Pakistan in ir T20 World Cup opener, Australian legend Greg Chappell rated former skipper as "most complete Indian batsman" of his time.

In a fitting response to his doubters, who had raised questions about his spot in format, Kohli slammed an unbeaten 82 to snatch victory from jaws of defeat against Pakistan on Sunday.

Describing innings as a "song by God", 74-year-old said: "ne of greats of bygone eras could have dismembered of an opponent so brutally without compromising niceties of art of batting than Kohli did last Sunday night." "Kohli is most complete Indian batsman of my time. Only greatest of champions has cour and intelligence to transport ir imagination beyond mortal plane. Kohli has that. Perhaps only Tiger Pataudi has come close to transcending a similar stratosphere," Chappell wrote in a column for ' Sydney Morning Herald'.

"Kohli played an innings that was as close to a 'song by god' as has ever been played in T20 cricket. Like a cat playing with a new skein of wool, Kohli teased n expertly picked apart an excellent Pakistan bowling attack until it lay unravelled, spent and exposed on green carpet of MCG."

Legitimised T20 cricket 

Chappell furr said that Kohli's innings against Pakistan "legitimised" T20 cricket. "It was an innings that showcased art of batting like or that I have seen in a lifetime of watching cricket.

"Ironically, it was also innings that legitimised T20 cricket as, dare I say it, an art form, more than any that I have seen in past 15 years. body can dismiss T20 cricket as simply entertainment ever again," said former India coach.

Chappell said only World Cup-winning Australia wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist could have come close to Kohli in terms of sheer strokeplay.

"I can think of many of best hitters in modern game who could have pulled off a similar victory, and probably have, but ne has ever done it with pure batting skills in manner that Kohli did against Pakistan," he said.

"Only Adam Gilchrist has come close in past, but this was even more esoteric than some of his most sublime efforts. It was simply impossible to look away." That kck came from strongest and most vocal supporter of Test cricket made Chappell all more ecstatic.

"It gave me immense pleasure as it was played by one of staunchest supporters and exponents of Test cricket of past 145 years.

"This was day that T20 cricket came to maturity, and nail biting game was played between two of younger nations of long form of game in front of 90,000 rapturous fans, most of whom were thousands of miles from land of ir birth," Chappell wrote.

It was t very long ago re was a raging debate over Kohli's selection in India's T20 World Cup squad as he was going through worst phase of his career after a controversial end to his captaincy from all three formats of game.

Kohli also decided to take a month-long break to deal with 'mental' issues and returned with a bang in Asia Cup, where he slammed his first international century in three years, and a maiden one in shortest format, against Afghanistan.

He continued his form in home series against Australia in build-up to T20 World Cup.

"We have kwn for some time that Kohli is in a rare class, but this was done against backdrop of a pretty lean run during last few years by his lofty standards," Chappell wrote. "t many are going to have to go through it in glare Virat has. Everyone has had an opinion; most of it has been centred on his eyes and/or his technique as having waned in some way. As someone who has been down that track, I was pretty sure this wasn't case.

"It is likely best T20 innings of his career, and it may also be one of most satisfying in any format. He looked completely at home. He was in his element."

Would have made Shane Warne proud

innings came at Shane Warne's home ground as 90,000-plus fans cheered every bit of it and Chappell felt had he been alive, spin wizard would have been proud of kck.

Warned died of heart attack in March this year.

"Shane Warne would be proud to have his name emblazoned on most imposing stand at stadium, presiding over proceedings on fateful evening.

"It was most certainly coming-of- of cricket's new crown jewels. Kohli willed himself to get his team over line, and demanded that anyone who loved game of cricket stay and watch spectacle until end," Chappell said.

match had its share of controversies in last over when a six by Kohli was adjudged -ball for height and re were some debatable byes as well. "It is much like NZ being punished for accidental overthrows from opponents bat which cost m 50-over World Cup Final at Oval in 2019," Chappell said.

"India, most likely would have won anyway, but it wouldn't have been foregone conclusion that it became.

"I would review that rule to give bowler credit for dead ball if he is good eugh to beat bat and hit stumps," Chappell concluded. PTI TAP TAP SSC SSC