Former umpire Ian Gould shower praises on Virat Kohli, calls him 'funny man'

Ian Gould had the best seat in the stadium while officiting the international matches and now that he has called it a day, the 64-year-old is all set to share his views about the game and the players he watched closely.

Not long ago, the England born former umpire had showered praises on the Indian skipper Virat Kohli, who was once deemed as the brat of this sport.

When asked about Virat Kohli, Ian Gould stated that he is a funny man. That was not it as the former umpire went on to call the Indian skipper a male model and a pin-up boy. Furthermore he said that Virat Kohli was a person who resembled Sachin Tendulkar.

"He's a funny man. Yeah, he batted like me a couple of times. I had to tell him off for slogging it. He's a charmer. He's one of those guys who's got, a bit like Sachin Tendulkar, the whole of India on his back, but you wouldn't know. You could walk into a restaurant and sit and chat with him for hours. He's a very worldly boy. When you look at Virat, you're thinking male model, pin-up boy, but he knows about the game inside out, the past, history. Lovely guy," Gould told ESPNcricinfo.

The 62-year-old was questioned about Kohli’s behaviour and reminded that he had his share of run-ins with officials in the past. To this Gould said that Kohli has chhanged and is respectful like the other Indian boys.

"I can see why. But he's learned to be respectful. He could have continued his career like that and people could be talking totally the opposite about Virat. He's a nice man and the India boys are very, very good people, very respectful," Gould said

Ian Gould also picked his favourite batsmen from his umpiring days. He named Jacques Kallis. Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli as his most-liked.

"Jacques Kallis. I loved watching Jacques. He was a very, very fine player. Sachin. And probably Virat. I was unlucky in some respects. I didn't see the best of Ricky Ponting. He was an outstanding character, outstanding captain, such a proud Australian."

"But his career was just starting to wane as I came on the scene. But he was incredibly helpful, so I'm disappointed I have to leave him out. Jacques Kallis, I could sit and watch all day, Virat, the same. And Sachin, if you want someone to bat for your life, he was the man," Gould stated.

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