'He is cricketing equivalent of Cristiano Ronaldo': Brian Lara's high praise for Virat Kohli
When you talk about health and fitness, two athletes that come to one's mind are Cristiano Ronaldo and Virat Kohli. The two-sport stars have given fitness goals to the generation and the Indian skipper even admires the footballer.
When you talk about health and fitness, two athletes that come to one's mind are Cristiano Ronaldo and Virat Kohli. The two-sport stars have given fitness goals to the generation and the Indian skipper even admires the footballer.
Now, comparing the captain to the Juventus star is former West Indies player Brian Lara.
The batting icon told PTI, “I think it has got a lot to do with Virat’s outstanding commitment besides his preparation. I don’t think he is any more talented than a KL Rahul or a Rohit Sharma but his commitment to prepare himself properly stands out. He is, for me, the cricketing equivalent of Cristiano Ronaldo”.
“His fitness level and his mental strength is unbelievable His batting skills are unbelievable. He is a guy you cannot leave out in any era. If a guy is averaging 50 plus in all versions of the game, then that is something which is unheard of,” the legend said.
The 50-year-old Lara also praised English all-rounder Ben Stokes, saying his Ashes-saving 135 not out at the Headingley was 'unbelievable'.
“It was an unbelievable innings that he played. You must give him the credit not only for that innings but also for his 84 not out in the ODI World Cup final. He came up through a very rough period couple of years back (Bristol pub brawl and subsequent suspension) and he has shown the mettle to put things aside and soldiered on as a cricketer.”