Legend’s take: Richards picked India because the favorite as ‘they have played unblemished cricket’.
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When Sir Viv Richards doffs his hat to a modern-day batter, it’s in all probability the best of all appreciations that may come their means.
The legendary West Indian, who’s arguably probably the most devastating batter of all time, was on the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday, watching Virat Kohli break Sachin Tendulkar’s file of 49 ODI centuries — a mark that had as soon as appeared sure to stay for eternity — throughout India’s victorious World Cup semifinal over New Zealand.
“It was a privilege to be in the house,” Richards informed The Hindu on Friday. “It just goes to show that records are there to be broken. Newer boundaries are being set [in the game]. As I said to Virat when I saw him on the field, ‘you are an individual who is setting new boundaries. You are taking cricket and batting to a different level’.”
While Kohli’s 711 runs are tournament-leading, speedster Mohammed Shami’s 23 wickets from simply six matches at a gorgeous common of 9.13 have propelled India no much less.
“I have done commentary in the past, and sitting from behind the bowler’s arm… no one presents the seam as well as Shami,” stated Richards, who was within the metropolis for the launch of Varchas.
“And you can see why he is having success. He is part of a very, very good Indian attack and it is as good as any,” the 71-year-old added.
India has now received 10 matches on the bounce and Richards hoped that in Sunday’s ultimate towards Australia in Ahmedabad, Rohit Sharma and his males would sustain their golden run.
“I hope it is a very good final. We want some excitement. India in my opinion [is the favourite] because of the way they have played so far… unblemished.
“It would be quite nice to see a team… when we speak of newer boundaries being set, we can see it here. They won nine, then 10, just the 11th [is left] now. That would be a record [for India]. So I am hoping, just to set that new boundary, they accomplish that. But it won’t be easy.”
