Viv Richards: India has a ‘lot of ground to cover’ to win overseas
Viv Richards, the Windies legend, notes Indian cricket has improved in recent years.
Published : Dec 27, 2018 18:16 IST
India has a “lot of ground to cover” to win overseas, according to Windies legend Viv Richards.
“Earlier, India used to play with four spinners. They now have four fast bowlers. It is good that things have changed. India realised it needs that attitude. But India still [needs] to do well overseas,” Richards told reporters here on Thursday.
Noting the improvement in Indian cricket, he said, “Indian infrastructure has improved. [The Indian Premier League] has helped in a big way. It has brought money and the Indian team has got substance. But I think India needs to win overseas and [there is still] a lot of ground to cover.”
He was speaking at a press conference organised by the American University of Antigua College of Medicine.
‘Big fan’ of Kohli
Richards felt India had a good chance to win in Australia in the ongoing tour. “[Virat] Kohli is aggressive. I am a big fan of him. I like good batsman and good aggression. And I like the fact that someone can play Australia like that. I think [Kohli] is going to give it back to Australia this time. [Kohli] is special and I like that game. I also played the same game. Can you imagine Viv and Virat playing in the same team?” Richards said with a smile.
“Virat is good. You are good if you can only reply. If you are not good, you can’t reply. Virat is good in that sense,” Richards added.
He said India has produced three great batsmen till date — Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar and Kohli. “In between, we have many great players like Rahul Dravid, V. V. S. Laxman, and others. India is now playing a very attacking game under Kohli. The old India was a little timid, but Virat is not like that. He gives it back,” Richards said.