Former Pakistani opener Salman Butt lauded Indian batter Virat Kohli after the latter scored his record 76th international century against West Indies on Friday (July 21) in Port of Spain.
Butt stated that Kohli is a role model for youngsters and also added that he is the fittest cricketer in the world at the moment.
“Looking at Virat Kohli's fitness, he can continue playing. He has been scoring runs, and he is not just fit but one of the fittest players in the world. He could very well be the fittest cricketer,” Butt said while talking on his YouTube channel.
“He is someone who is an institution in himself. His career is a roadmap for youngsters. Be it his nutrition, commitment, dedication, and ability to thrive under pressure, he is a brilliant example.”
Butt, 38, also talked about India’s performance in the Test series against the Caribbean side — where India won the first Test by an inning and 141 runs — saying that it feels like India are playing against a minnow side while also adding that West Indies would need to score big to get back in the second Test.
“It has just been one-sided dominance so far. It seems as if India are playing against a minnow team. If West Indies somehow manage to get to 350 or 375, only then could we get to see some sort of contest.
“However, India are a superior bowling side. West Indies have the talent, but the batters tend to play extravagant shots once in a while, causing their downfall,” Butt added.
Earlier on Friday (July 21), Kohli, showing no sign of stopping, scored his 29th Test century equalling the legendary Don Bradmon’s record.
The Indian batter also became the first player ever to score a century in his 500th international match.
After scoring four away hundreds in 2018, that was Kohli’s first overseas century in almost five years.
It was also his second century in the Caribbean Islands with his first converted into a double hundred back in 2016 in North Sound.
With his 29th Test ton, Kohli became the player with the third-most hundreds among active players, only behind Joe Root (30) and Steve Smith (32).
It must be noted that Kohli's 76 centuries in international cricket in his 15-year-long career consist of 46 ODIs, 29 Tests, and One T20I century.
- Virat Kohli