Former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee has shared insights into his experiences bowling against Indian cricket icons Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma. Lee highlighted the distinct qualities that made each player formidable opponents during different phases of their careers.
Speaking on the Ranveer Allahbadia Show, Lee reflected on his encounters with Tendulkar, acknowledging the difficulty in dismissing the legendary batter. He humorously mentioned that his strategy against Tendulkar often involved prayer and visualisation. Lee also recalled an incident at the Melbourne Cricket Ground where Tendulkar appeared to misjudge a delivery, which he described as a memorable moment.
Lee expressed regret that newer generations of fans have not had the opportunity to witness Tendulkar bat during his career, encouraging them to seek out his past performances. He emphasised Tendulkar’s significant impact on Indian cricket.
Early Recognition of Kohli’s Potential
Lee also spoke about facing a young Virat Kohli, noting that he identified a special quality in the Indian batter early on, even before Kohli became a prominent figure in international cricket. When asked if he anticipated Kohli’s future success, Lee affirmed that he could perceive Kohli’s intense mental strength and focus, which he believes sets certain athletes apart.
According to Lee, Kohli’s focused presence was evident even in his early playing days, characterising it as a mindset of “game on” and a belief that opponents would not be able to dismiss him. Lee observed that Kohli maintains this same competitive spirit today, referring to him as “the same tiger.”
Lee defended Kohli against contemporary criticism, particularly in the social media era, stating that comparisons across generations are unfair due to the evolving pressures on players. He drew parallels with Sunil Gavaskar and Tendulkar, who also carried immense expectations, but noted that Kohli faces an additional layer of scrutiny from social media. Lee dismissed negative comments about Kohli’s performance as unfounded, citing his “impeccable” and “incredible” record.
Rohit Sharma’s Aggression and Indian Cricket’s Transformation
Lee also praised Rohit Sharma, identifying him as one of his favourite players to watch, particularly for his pull shot. He recalled that Sharma’s aggression was immediately noticeable when he faced him early in his career, highlighting his refusal to back down.
This attitude, Lee suggested, was indicative of a broader shift in Indian cricket around the early 2000s. He noted that Indian teams began to display greater confidence against leading international sides, moving away from a previous dynamic where other teams might have underestimated them. Lee attributed this transformation partly to India’s increased focus on fitness and technique, crediting former captain Sourav Ganguly and Tendulkar for their contributions to this change.
Lee believes the influence of that generation is still visible in the current Indian team, suggesting that the team carries forward Kohli’s legacy. He also commented on the celebrity status of India’s top cricketers, likening them to “Bollywood stars with cricket whites on,” which can sometimes overshadow their sporting achievements.
Lee’s View on Cricket’s Greatest
While acknowledging Tendulkar as the finest batsman he ever witnessed, Lee has selected Jacques Kallis as the greatest cricketer of all time. Lee explained his distinction between the best batsman and the most complete cricketer, citing Kallis’s statistics in batting, bowling, and fielding. He noted that Kallis is the only player to have achieved more than 10,000 runs and over 250 wickets in both Test and ODI cricket.
Lee’s assessment is also informed by his time as a teammate with Kallis at Kolkata Knight Riders for three IPL seasons, from 2011 to 2013. He recalled Kallis’s calm demeanor before batting and his meticulous pre-game routine, including a specific order for putting on his equipment.
Source: businesstoday.in
