Great opportunity for Virat Kohli to prove why he is the best batter in the world – Shane Warne

Former Australian legendary spinner Shane Warne reckons it will be a great opportunity for Virat Kohli to prove why he is the best batter in the world after giving up Test captaincy.

Warne believes it is not easy to lead India in all three forms of the game as there is a lot of pressure and expectations when you are leading the national team.

Kohli did a fine job as a leader in all three forms of the game and took Indian cricket to new heights. The talisman led India in 68 Test matches in which the team won 40 games, lost 17 while 11 ended in a draw.

With no more captaincy pressure on his shoulders, Warne feels Kohli can bat freely and get back to scoring hundreds. In fact, Kohli’s last century came back in 2019 when he scored a hundred against Bangladesh in the pink-ball Test match at Kolkata. However, since then Kohli has failed to get to the three-digit mark in all three forms of the game.

“There is just so much expectation. It’s so difficult to be captain of India in all forms of the game and then play the IPL as well. Everyone looks for him to comment, to be the leader so I’m looking forward to watching Virat bat now. Get someone else to take the captaincy, let someone else do all that, and allow Virat to get back to being the best in the world. I’m really looking forward to that,” Warne told Hindustan Times in an interaction.

Warne admitted that he was a little surprised like everyone when Kohli decided to relinquish his Test captaincy duties after India lost the Test series against South Africa by 2-1.

“I was a little surprised like everyone. Virat has been a wonderful captain for India but it’s also very tough with the expectations of over a billion people. It’s going to be really tough for him… I don’t think anyone could captain India for a long period of time in all forms of the game and continue to bat at a higher level. So I think it’s a great opportunity now for Virat to go back and prove to himself and everyone why he is the best batter in the world. And hope he can concentrate on his batting and start making hundreds in all forms of the game again. I hope that’s what happens. He has inspired his teammates. India has played a fantastic brand of cricket and let’s hope that continues.”

Kohli scored two fifties in three ODIs against South Africa but failed to convert his starts into substantial scores. The talisman will look to bring his best to the table and continue his domination at the top level. India will next take on West Indies in limited-overs series in February.