Kapil Dev calls Virat Kohli a combination of Tendulkar and Viv Richards

At the book launch of ‘Numbers Do Lie: 61 Hidden Cricket Stories’, Kapil Dev called Virat Kohli as the best batsman he has ever seen and said that the Indian captain was a combination of Sachin Tendulkar and Viv Richards. 

Since India started their much-awaited home season against New Zealand last year, Virat Kohli has amassed an incredible 1206 runs in just 9 Test matches. His four double hundreds have been talked about in detail, but Kapil Dev has said that Kohli's best is yet to come and he expects the Indian captain to achieve the triple century milestone sooner, rather than later. 

Kapil Dev, who famously led India to 1983 World Cup glory, said that although he had not seen Don Bradman play, the Australian's record spoke volumes about the kind of player he was. However, the 58-year-old said that watching Kohli's current form has given him an idea of what Bradman would have been like.

"We all have heard stories about Don Bradman, the records that he has and how well he used to bat. But when people say that 'Had the Don played in this era, he would have been very much like Virat,' one can very well imagine how great Don would have been," said Kapil Dev.

"If I say in Virat's words, then England team is far better than Australia and if the way the Indian team is playing, one would say India surely have a better chance," Dev added.

"I personally feel Australia will be a bigger challenge, but I don't think Virat feels that way. I hope Virat is right and I am wrong. I believe this team has more strength to dominate the bowlers but it also depends on the pitches. Three of these venues - Pune, Ranchi and Dharamsala - will host a Test match for the first time. So we don't know how the pitches will behave." 

"They have had their answer once in 2014. They sledged him and Virat responded with four centuries in four Tests. Sometimes, sledging helps some players and that's how Virat is. So, I doubt if they will do it against Virat," the 58-year-old said.

"We have to give credit to Virat because as a captain, he has brought a positive energy to this side. Virat is very different from the way Dhoni and Ganguly led India. Virat's aggression reflects in how the team carries itself. His work ethic and attitude towards the game is incredible. I remember after the Mohali win in which he scored a 150, he went to his team hotel and asked staff to open the gymnasium at 11pm because he wanted to train."