Yuvraj Singh calls Virat Kohli the "best batter of this generation"

Former Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has lauded Virat Kohli as the standout batter of this era, asserting that Kohli’s stellar performances make him deserving of a World Cup medal. Kohli, eyeing success at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, is set to make his sixth appearance in the tournament, aiming to add to India’s lone title in the format secured back in 2007.

Notably, Kohli’s cricketing journey soared to new heights during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, where he clinched the Player of the Tournament award, setting a record for the most runs.

“I think he surely deserves that medal as well…”

Reflecting on Kohli’s illustrious career, Yuvraj Singh emphasized the batter’s remarkable achievements and expressed his belief that Kohli merits another World Cup triumph, especially after his pivotal role in India’s victorious campaign in 2011. “He has definitely broken all the records in this era,” Yuvraj remarked during a conversation with ICC.

“The best batter of this generation, I feel, in all formats. And I think he is also someone who needs a World Cup Medal. He has one. I’m sure he is not satisfied with one. I think he surely deserves that medal as well.”

“I think he understands his game really well,” Yuvraj said. “He knows if he’s there till the end, he is going to win the game for India and he has done that on some big occasions – against Australia in Mohali as well. “Once he had the confidence of chasing and knowing the situation, he knows how to bat in these situations, knows which bowlers to attack, which bowlers to take singles off, when to attack again, handle the pressure and knows when to change his game.”

Virat shines throughout the generation

Delving into Kohli’s standout performances in the T20 World Cup, Yuvraj Singh highlighted the batter’s exceptional showing in the 2014 edition. Kohli’s prowess was on full display as he emerged as the leading run-scorer in the tournament, notching up four half-centuries in six matches. Yuvraj, who witnessed Kohli’s remarkable innings from the other end, hailed his ball-striking abilities as “unbelievable.”

“I think he was outstanding. He was in one of the best forms of his life. He was hitting the ball unbelievably. And I had a small partnership with him (in the final) and then he batted with Dhoni,” Yuvraj recalled. 

Kohli’s dominance isn’t limited to international cricket; he has seamlessly adapted to the fast-paced nature of T20 cricket, as evident from his impressive performance in the IPL 2024. Accumulating 542 runs at an astonishing average of 67.75 and a formidable strike rate of 148.08, Kohli’s consistency and adaptability have set him apart. Yuvraj Singh, recognizing Kohli’s unique talent, acknowledged the batter’s unmatched abilities, highlighting his significant contributions to the sport.

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“Why I think he was so good was because every time in nets or a practice situation, he would not go and just slog balls,” Yuvraj describes. “In the nets, he would always bat like he was batting in a match. He put that in repetition after repetition after repetition. I have not seen that in many players. I think that is the key to his success,” he concluded.