Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja heaps praise on Virat Kohli, terms him ‘modern-day Viv Richards’

Former Pakistani skipper Ramiz Raja sang the praise of Indian captain Varat Kohli and dubbed him as the ‘modern-day Viv Richards’. The former Pakistan skipper made his views known while describing how debutants Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan are fortunate to have someone like Kohli at the non-striker’s end.

“Ishan Kishan was lucky to have a partnership with Virat Kohli as he is a modern day great and in my view he is a modern day Viv Richards. It would provide Ishan Kishan confident and we can expect a lot more from him in the coming future,” Ramiz Raja stated.

Ishan Kishan, who scored a brilliant 56 runs on his debut match against England, was batting with Kohli in the second T20I. The Indian run machine had himself hit a glorious 73 runs to sail India to victory.

“Ishan Kishan had a lot of potential and talent. He does terrific power-hitting, he is short but times the ball sweetly, plays on both off and leg-side and hits maximums. On the day he is a game changer and scored a superb fifty on debut,” Ramiz Raja said.

“He played with freedom and he has come in a great environment where the captain at the non-striker’s end claps on his every shot. He has been given the license that we are changing the direction of our batting and you go and hit sixes and fours. If you get out in the process, no problem,” Raja added.

However, Virat Kohli was out for just 1 in the 4th T20I while youngster Ishan Kishan did not take part in it because of a niggle.
The former Pakistani skipper Ramiz Raja commended India’s resolve to give chances to proven performers of Indian Premier League (IPL).

“Unless you identify the outstanding performers of IPL and give the performers a chance, you won't progress the way it should. India took the chance and it turned out to be great,” former Pakistan skipper said.

Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav were rewarded for their brilliant display in the T20I as both of them earned their first ever ODI call-ups for the three-match series against the three lions.

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