Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag has made legendary Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli number one in his list of top-5 ODI batters. Kohli, the best-ever ODI batter, is followed by Tendulkar. Now, Virat Kohli has scored 13963 runs since making his ODI debut for India against Sri Lanka in August 2008 in his 297 ODIs so far. Tendulkar, on the other hand, ended his career with 18426 runs from 463 ODIs.
The list also features Sahin and Kohli, the former captain of Pakistan Inzamam-ul-Haq, Ab de Villiers of South Africa, and Chris Gayle of the West Indies.
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“Chris Gayle was a phenomenal batsman and was one opening batsman. India toured the West Indies in the 2002-03 season, and Chris Gayle made three centuries in a six-match series against West Indies. I have seen for the first time a batsman at the international level who could hit sixes from the back foot against fast bowlers,” Sehwag stated on Cricbuzz.
“AB de Villiers is at four. I really loved the way he used to play. I have never seen another batsman hit sixes off balance like that. Three is Inzamam-ul-Haq. He is among the best ODI players of Asian origin. He used to come in at the No. 4 and control the match. So, I learned from him how to take a match slow. How you can control the match. At that time, it was tough to chase seven or eight runs in an over, but Inzamam was jovial about it because he had the calculations as to when and whom to hit for six,” he added.
While talking about his long-standing opening partner and idol Tendulkar, Sehwag stated, “Sachin Tendulkar is everyone’s favourite and my role model. You know how it feels to walk on the ground with him? You’re going on a safari with a lion. All are beholding the lion. And I used to just go quietly and make my runs”.
“Virat Kohli is number one. A player like Virat Kohli, who is a Chasemaster is probably one who could come along in future as one who would always be consistent. He was not the Virat Kohli that he is now; he took the time and learned with experience . After the year 2011-12, he has changed a lot in fitness and consistency. He has already scored brilliant knocks,” he said.
