Indian senior off-spinner Harbhajan Singh claimed that the Indian limited-overs vice-captain Rohit Sharma and the Indian skipper Virat Kohli both are the top players and it is difficult to judge who is better among them.
After the visitors Windies put a challenging total of 322/8 (50 overs) on the board in the first ODI of the five-match ODI series at Guwahati on last Sunday (October 21), the Indian opener Rohit Sharma (152*) and the no.3 Indian batsman Virat Kohli (140) both hit big centuries to secure the game comfortably after reaching the target in 42.1 overs after losing only two wickets.
Also read: Windies tour of India 2018/19: First ODI – Stats Review
Their 246-run second wicket partnership made that chase too comfortable for the hosts and at the end of the match, India took the 1-0 lead in the five-match ODI series.
Talking about their performances, Harbhajan Singh told India Today, “Rohit Sharma is a player of a different level. When Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma play, it is difficult to judge who is better. The No.1 and No.2 ranking is justified for them and for me…both of them are No.1. The pair is No.1 and whenever they bat together, they dominate.”
Also read: Ravindra Jadeja: If Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are set, it’s tough to get them out
Harbhajan lauded Kohli for his extraordinary performances in the recent international cricket. The 38-year-old further added that Kohli’s records will not be easy for others to break that.
Harbhajan said, “It looked like Virat Kohli was batting on a different wicket altogether. It looked like he came to dominate and won’t stop. The amount of hard work Virat has put in on his game, he doesn’t’ give chances. He plays down the ground mostly, doesn’t play much-lofted shots. So, his game is so strong that to get him out, you need to bowl a really good delivery.”
Also read: Virat Kohli Expresses The Joy Of Batting With Rohit Sharma
“Virat Kohli is getting better day-by-day and nobody knows how to get him out really and I feel, when he stops playing, nobody can break them that easily.”
The off-spinner also claimed that Rohit Sharma is the only batsman who is near to Virat Kohli’s batting class in recent years and that’s why he believes both are the no.1 players.
Harbhajan added, “Virat’s numbers have grown over the last couple of years and if I say there is anybody near him, I’ll have to say Rohit. If I say Rohit isn’t as good a player as Virat, it’ll be unfair on him. Both are No.1 players.”
