You cannot compare Kohli and Tendulkar, says Brendon McCullum

At only 27, Kohli is already the fourth highest ODI century-maker with 26 hundreds after Tendulkar (49),  Australian Ricky Ponting (30) and Sri Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya (28). The Indian Test captain has also scored 13 hundreds and 12 fifties in 48 Tests at an impressive average of 45, and is already hailed as a modern great.

Not surprisingly, his exploits have been compared to that of record-breaking Tendulkar, who was nearing the end of his illustrious 24-year-old international career  when Kohli was starting to establish himself in the global arena.

"Yeah, definitely he is among the current top three (batsmen). I think he has been for a number of years now. With what he does in Tests and one-day cricket, he also had a fantastic IPL this year as well,” McCullum was quoted as saying by PTI news agency.

“ His ability to be consistent in what is quite an inconsistent game, is a mark of how world class he is. And he is just 27. I think we should just enjoy the fact that we have got one of the geniuses at work over the next few years.

"I think we should just enjoy the guy who is at the top of his game and is entertaining crowds all around the world. I think comparisons are so difficult in this game, there are different conditions, different eras, different circumstances but we should not fail in recognising that we have got an incredibly good player who is operating on the world stage at the moment."

McCullum also commended MS Dhoni’s decision to bat up the order and said his former CSK team-mate will have more impact batting at No 4.

"I am definitely not surprised. He is a terrific leader. I think now that he doesn't play Tests and his focus is squarely on limited-overs means he can have more impact on the game. That is why probably he has pushed himself up in the batting order. And he has delivered. That is what world class players do,” said the Kiwi.

The explosive right-hander took the cricketing world by surprise when he announced his international retirement before the World T20 earlier this year. But the 35-year-old said that he is still motivated enough to play competitive cricket.

"It is definitely one of the challenges (to remain fit after international retirement) but you can overcome it if you stay physically fit, strong and motivated. I am still very much motivated. I am 35 years of age, I think I have still got three-four years of competitive cricket left and hopefully I can perform,” he said.

On New Zealand's ongoing tour, he said: “"Look India is always a tough place to tour. It is incredibly difficult here, the conditions are so different to what we have back home. I think the guys will take a lot of learning out of this tour. I am sure in time we will see the benefits of how tough this tour has been for the boys.”