'Best in ODI history' - Atherton, Hussain hail Virat Kohli
What's the story
India's cricketing icon Virat Kohli has been hailed as the greatest ODI cricketer of all time by Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain.
This recognition came after Kohli's stellar century against Pakistan in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy.
He became the fastest batter to score 14,000 runs in ODIs, a feat he achieved in less than 350 innings.
Here are further details.
Record-breaking performance
Kohli surpasses Tendulkar's record
Kohli's record-breaking performance saw him go past Sachin Tendulkar, who held the record for being the fastest to 14,000 ODI runs in 350 innings.
Atherton, on the "Sky Sports Podcast," acknowledged this feat, saying, "Virat Kohli in a run-chase in 50-over cricket, there's been nobody better in the history of the game."
He also pointed out Kohli's 51 centuries as an "unbelievable number."
Unmatched achievement
Kohli's ODI prowess acknowledged
Atherton went on to further highlight Kohli's ODI greatness by contrasting his record with other cricketing greats.
He pointed out that only Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara have gone past the 14,000-run mark in one-day cricket.
However, Kohli did it much quicker than both, in "60-odd innings quicker than Sachin" and about "90-odd innings quicker than Kumar."
High praise
Hussain hails Kohli as 'best player in ODIs'
Nasser Hussain also praised Kohli's accomplishments, saying he is "probably the best player in ODIs of all time."
He admitted other legends like Tendulkar, Sangakkara, and AB de Villiers but maintained that Kohli stands "right at the top of the tree."
Hussain's appreciation highlights the universal acknowledgment of Kohli's phenomenal talent and contribution to cricket.