Pakistan great lauds Kohli 'genius'

Pakistan legend Javed Miandad has hailed Virat Kohli as a "genius" and the "best batsman in the world", while current national coach Mickey Arthur says he hopes the Indian skipper’s technique will one day be tested by his bowlers in Pakistan.

Kohli has been at his imperious best during India's ongoing tour of South Africa, with two centuries in India's three one-day wins in the series so far. He also scored 153 in the second Test in Centurion, with another half-century in the bowler-dominated Johannesburg Test.

Former Pakistan captain Miandad said Kohli's technique and temperament made him unparalleled in the modern game.

"What I really admire about Indian batsmen and the reason why they are so successful, is the fact that their batting technique is correct," Miandad told pakpassion.net.

"In Virat Kohli's case his batting method is what allows him to score runs not just once but almost every time he comes in to bat.

"If a batsman's technique is bad, he can put some runs on the board once in a while, but he will not be able to do that consistently which is exactly true in Kohli's case.

"To me the mark of a great batsman like Kohli is the fact that he can vary his technique by quickly understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the bowlers. Kohli is a genius who is the best batsman in the world."

Kohli is currently ranked the world's No.1 one-day batsman and ranked second in Test cricket behind Australia's Steve Smith, who has not let an unorthodox technique hold him back from recording the second highest Test ranking of all time.

Smith has a Test batting ranking of 947 on the ICC charts, a mark second only to Sir Donald Bradman's 961 points reached in February 1948. Kohli has a rank of 912 points.

The India captain has scored a Test century against every country he has played, the notable exception being Pakistan, with political animosity between the neighbouring countries restricting the blockbuster fixture to one-day tournaments in recent times. India last played Pakistan in a Test in 2007.

Kohli has also not scored a Test century in England – something he will seek to remedy this winter when India tour – nor Bangladesh, where he scored 14 in his only innings of a one-off Test. He did score 204 against Bangladesh on home soil though, and has three tons against England at home, including an epic 235 in Mumbai in December 2016.

Pakistan coach Arthur lauded Kohli's exploits, and hoped the teams would meet in Pakistan, but warned a century on Pakistan soil would be no easy task.

"It has been a great pleasure to watch Kohli scoring against all teams and it is always enjoyable to watch his batting," Arthur was reported to have said.

"However, our bowlers will not make it easy for him to score (in Pakistan).

"Hopefully India will come to play in Pakistan."