England Vs India 2018, 1st Test: Virat Kohli Can be India's Greatest of All-time - Kumar Sangakkara

Sri Lanka legend Kumar Sangakkara feels Team India skipper Virat Kohli can surpass all the records to be the greatest of all time after his first innings knock in the 1st against England at Edgbaston. So far, England Vs India contest grabbed headlines owing to the resistance and breakthrough equally from the respective players of both teams.

Meanwhile, Kohli registered his debut century in England when he single-handedly guided India to England’s score. While the other batsmen kept coming and going, he stood his ground from the other end.

Batting mainstay Kohli scored 149 runs before being out as the last batsmen for India.

Former gloveman Sangakkara seemed so impressed with Kohli that he feels Kohli will achieve greater heights in his career.

“The way he is playing, Virat can well become the greatest ever Indian batsman,” Sangakkara told TOI.

The greatest ever wicket-keeper batsman, Sangakkara believes, Kohli is well on his way to matching legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar. Sangakkara further noted if Kohli can improve more, he will break a lot of records.

“In terms of Sachin’s legacy both in terms of cricket and the way he has dealt with pressure, he is unique. But Virat is well on his way to match that. He is comfortably the best in the world of his generation and with time, he will mature even more. If he understands himself a bit better and keeps improving his game, he will break quite a few records,” he added.

Talking about Virat Kohli’s chances of breaking Tendulkar’s 100 centuries, Kumar Sangakkara feels it depends on how long he will play.

“It’s up to him how long he plays and if he does for a while, a few serious records will be broken,” he concluded.

England Vs India: India verge on winning the 1st Test

After a superb display from the bowlers, India’s hopes will lie on Kohli to give them a 1-0 lead against England. After missing out his 150 in the first essay, he is also waging a lone war in the second innings.

On the other side, Stuart Broad picked two wickets while James Anderson, Sam Curran, and Ben Stokes bagged one wicket each.

Virat Kohli (43*)  along with Dinesh Karthik (18*) is still at the crease with India needing 84 runs to win. Previously, in the day, Ishant Sharma created magic to rattle the England batting order.

Ishant returned with a five-wicket haul while Ravichandran Ashwin and Umesh Yadav returned with three and two each. They bowled out the host for 184 runs after a late cameo of young Sam Curran.