When Bishan Singh Bedi Praised Virat Kohli 

image-lo5j45ggVirat Kohli [X.Com]

A strong, forthright personality, spin bowling legend Bishan Singh Bedi was famous for his outspoken angst against the Indian Premier League (IPL) and T20 cricket. 

Even as modern-day fans pack the stadiums for the shortest format, especially during the two months of IPL, Bedi denounced the razzmatazz of the league and controversially didn't consider it cricket meant to be taken seriously. 

Until he sadly passed away on Monday (October 23), Bedi held no fondness for T20 matches even though the format has grown in acceptance to become an integral part of the international and domestic calendar over time.

A traditionalist by heart, the legendary left-arm tweaker believed the format upheld the rampaging batters to extreme levels and gave them an unfair advantage over bowlers. 


When Bishan Bedi Praised Kohli For Test Greatness 

Another of Bedi's major bone of contention with T20 cricket and broadcasters covering the format was how modern-day players who excelled in all formats of the game, including the toughest Test match cricket, were given publicity and fame only when they succeeded in the IPL. 

Bedi once took the example of India's ace batter Virat Kohli to press home his point. Speaking during his famous interview on the YouTube show 'Breakfast With Champions' with Gaurav Kapoor, the conscience keeper of Indian cricket asked why Kohli's on-field performances are overly highlighted during the IPL and his Test match feats ignored by the broadcasters and experts.

"You know Tiger Pataudi, Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Donald Bradman, Tiger Pataudi.. I am a huge fan of all of them. I worship them. I don't think there can ever be greater players than these. They didn't need this rubbish called the IPL," Bedi had said during the 2017 interview. 

"If you are a good Test cricketer, you can adjust to the requirements of T20 and One-Day cricket also. My biggest problem with today's game is that everybody's saying Virat Kohli is a great T20 cricketer. He's a bloody good Test player also, for goodness sake. But they only highlight the T20 aspect of his game," he added. 

Notably, limited-overs legend Kohli is also one of the finest Test match batters produced by India. The former skipper is averaging nearly 50 after 111 Tests and 8,676 runs next to his name with 29 centuries, including seven double hundreds.