Shivnarine Chanderpaul Praises Virat Kohli's Enduring Talent and West Indies Batting Skills
Chanderpaul on Virat Kohli's Longevity
Shivnarine Chanderpaul, the former West Indies cricket star, expressed admiration for Indian cricket sensation Virat Kohli, emphasizing that a player of Kohli's caliber cannot be easily dismissed. Chanderpaul shared these insights during an interview at the World Championship of Legends season 3, where he is representing the West Indies Champions.
Reflecting on Kohli's journey, Chanderpaul recalled recognizing his talent when Kohli was an under-19 player for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the first season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). With over 20,000 runs in his career, Chanderpaul believes Kohli still possesses the skills necessary to excel. "He can still play at a high level. People may try to write him off, but I remember him as a young player joining the Bangalore team. He had a rough start in international cricket but evolved into the player he is today. You can't overlook someone like him; he still has the talent and desire to succeed," he stated.
In the current year, Kohli has amassed 552 runs in nine ODIs, boasting an impressive average of 69.00 and a strike rate nearing 118, including two centuries and three fifties, with a top score of 139*. He ranks as the second-highest run-scorer in ODI history, trailing only Sachin Tendulkar, with 15,109 runs from 317 matches at an average of 58.78, including 55 centuries.
Secret Behind West Indies' Batting Success
Chanderpaul also revealed the key to the impressive performances of West Indies captain Shai Hope and batter Amir Jangoo in the recent ODIs against India. He noted that both players have honed their skills against spin on challenging pitches. "These players have consistently performed well. Shai has spent considerable time in Guyana, where he learned to face spinners effectively. Amir, on the other hand, has played extensively in Trinidad, where he also faced many spinners. Their experiences have prepared them to excel on flatter pitches, making it easier for them to score runs," he explained.
Despite the West Indies losing the series 2-1, their batting stood out, with Hope scoring 278 runs in three innings, including two centuries, and Jangoo contributing 239 runs with a century and two fifties.
On Batting-Friendly Pitches
Chanderpaul commented on the batting-friendly conditions during the ODI series, which saw India chase down a massive 406 runs in the second ODI, aided by Rohit Sharma's century and Shubman Gill's record-breaking double century. He remarked, "If the West Indies can score 400 runs, it shows that the pitches are favorable for batting. The conditions are excellent for batters, and teams are scoring heavily. The pitches are designed to entertain fans, and bowlers need to adapt their skills to be effective."
Coaching West Indies Champions
As a coach for the West Indies Champions, Chanderpaul discussed his experience working with former teammates like Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, and Andre Russell. He stated, "There are no challenges in coaching these players. They joined the team when they were young, so we have a long-standing relationship, making it easy to work together."
On World's Best Batters
When asked about the top players in the world today, Chanderpaul highlighted England's Joe Root and India's Shubman Gill as among the best, acknowledging the difficulty in selecting just one standout player. "There are many players performing exceptionally well. If we focus on Test cricket, Joe Root is a top performer. In other formats, Shubman Gill is doing remarkably well, along with other talented players globally," he noted.
West Indies Champions Owner on Cricket Legends
Ajay Sethi, owner of the West Indies Champions, shared his long-standing friendships with cricket legends like Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, and Clive Lloyd. He reflected on his experiences traveling with them for over 25 years, expressing his admiration for the 1983 India World Cup-winning squad. "My friendship with them spans many years, and I have enjoyed traveling with them to various cricket matches. I wish them all good health and longevity," he said.
Ajay Sethi on ODI Cricket's Popularity
Sethi addressed the perception that ODIs are losing popularity, acknowledging the rise of T20 cricket due to its fast-paced nature. "Every format of cricket has its dedicated audience. Test matches and ODIs still attract significant viewership. Stadiums are full for Test matches in countries like Australia and England, indicating a strong fan base. While T20 cricket captures a large interest, each format has its unique followers, and we shouldn't generalize about the decline of ODIs or Test cricket," he concluded.