New Zealand v India 2019: Virat Kohli Showers Praise on Kane Williamson Ahead of the First ODI

Indian National Cricket team Virat Kohli is currently on cloud nine after bagging the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Cricketer of the Year, the ICC Men’s Test Player of the Year and the ICC ODI Player of the Year awards following an extraordinary 2018. However, an ever-humble Kohli paid tribute to his counterpart from New Zealand Kane Williamson on the eve of the first ODI at Napier.

Meanwhile, it will be an exciting series with both the sides in good form of late. But ahead of the first game, Virat Kohli admitted Kane Williamson is perhaps his favourite batsman in world cricket, certainly from an aesthetic perspective.

“He’s easily one of the best players in the world,” Kohli told media on Tuesday. “So easy on the eye and great to watch. I really enjoy watching his batting personally and when he’s on song, he’s the most attractive to watch, that’s what I feel. He’s always a very solid player for New Zealand, purely because of what he’s done over all three formats. The way he’s gone about making those runs, he more or less makes his team win, when he scores those runs.

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“I think that tells you about his awareness of the game – he’s leading the side and guiding them in the right direction. Kane Williamson is a very important factor for them, but Roscoe and those other guys, you can’t take them for granted,” he added.

New Zealand have been consistent in the last few years

In addition to, Virat Kohli poured his respect to the Kiwi side saying that they have been consistent over the years. He also noted that they have a good balance and have played cricket the right way.

“The fact that they are the number three-ranked team in the world speaks to their consistency over the past couple of years,” he said. “The bowling attack is experienced, but at the same time, not that old.

“Tim [Southee], Trent [Boult]… all these guys have experience, but they also have that buzz about them all the time. They play their cricket in the right way, and that’s something we always appreciate about the New Zealand cricket team,” he concluded.