Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar has given current Indian skipper Virat Kohli after the latter took India to a T20I series win over the Aussies. Gavaskar said that Virat is the most impactful ODI player in the last decade depending on his numbers in the format of the game. Kohli went past 12000 ODI runs in the three-match series against Australia. He was the quickest to get to the landmark after Sachin Tendulkar.
Gavaskar said Kohli’s numbers when chasing for India has been fantastic and his individual numbers as well speak a lot about his hunger to score runs.
“I think if you look as an individual, then certainly it’s got to be Virat Kohli, because if you look at the number of matches he’s won for India when India has been chasing big scores,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports show Cricket Connected.
Also Read: Virat Kohli Maintains Top Spot In ICC ODI Rankings
Gavaskar further said that Kohli’s overall impact on the Indian team and international cricket as a whole deserves much respect as well.
“I look at the impact a player has had, and not just the runs or wickets that he has taken, and in that aspect, you have got to say that in this decade it really has been Virat Kohli who has had the most impact on the matches that India has won” Gavaskar further said.
Meanwhile, former Aussie opener Matthew Hayden has said that MS Dhoni and not Kohli has been India’s most impactful player in the last decade. Dhoni’s record as captain of winning three major ICC titles sits at the top of all achievement says, Hayden.
“I think it’s really important and significant that MS Dhoni has won a World Cup and a Champions Trophy. That World Cup for me, that’s a real big milestone,” said Hayden.
Hayden played alongside Dhoni for Chennai Super Kings for the first three of IPL seasons. MS Dhoni announced his international retirement on 15th August earlier this year. However, he played IPL 2020 and will be back for the next season as well.
Also Read: Virat Kohli Has A Life Outside Cricket: Steve Smith
