Of course he is considered a great batter and of that there is little doubt. That’s because of what he’s been able to achieve exceedingly well for very long period of time. It is one thing to score runs
in a big tournament. It is something quite other to be able to do so time and again, and over the course of what has been considerably long period of time. He has had sordid things done to some of the most skilled exponents with the white and red ball over what has been a relatively long and persistent career. When you think of the quality and capability of bowlers who have come to challenge abilities with the bat, you tend to think of names like Mitch Johnson, Stuart Broad, Trent Boult, Jimmy Anderson, Jofra Archer, Kemar Roach, Rashid Khan and the likes.
But is that all. Urgently, mainly, but towering name, exceptionally skilled and quite deceptive in that all ranking of talent is none other than New Zealand’s Tim Southee.
Now here’s how Virat Kohli was described by Tim Southee, and it is something which will be very heartening and sweet to know.
The champion, New Zealand, fast bowler, a gentle giant, someone who is always appealed the values and skills of the game, which he has so pleasantly represented, has considered Virat Kohli as the best one day international batter of all time.
And one could say that this is the hallmark of Virat Kohli‘s greatness. That even if he’s not around actively participating or playing in a cricket match of the series, his name is taken with great admiration and reverence in the wider Cricketing circles.
King Kohli, who is nearing hundred Internations centuries and has already struck 51 one day international centuries has sort of mastered the game in its 50 over format. He’s widely considered a chase master and has looked for the better part of his long and durable career, at exceptional ease against both pace and spin.
Tim Southee picks Virat Kohli as the best ever ODI batter. pic.twitter.com/rqEWHeSCGP
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 5, 2026
But one could say, that in terms of the regard and respect extended to king Kohli by the Kiwi bowling great, who called him the greatest one day batsmen ever, we note something of Southee’s skills as well.
No fewer than 11 times is what Tim Saudi has dismissed King Kohli in international cricket. This also includes dismissals in the one day arena as well. But as they say, the sign of a great man is one who extends compliments in regards to the others, calling them great. For his contribution to New Zealand cricket, Tim Southee is a great himself.
