Loved watching Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar bat while officiating, reveals Ian Gould

05/31/2020

A former member of the ICC elite panel of umpires, Ian Gould, has revealed that Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli are among the batsmen he loved watching the most while officiating. Gould has also hailed former South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis as someone he could watch batting all day.

In his glorious career as an international umpire, Ian Gould officiated in 140 ODIs, 74 Tests, and 37 T20Is before retiring post the 2019 World Cup. As a former English cricketer, Gould a left-handed batsman played in 18 One Day International matches. According to the 62-year-old, Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli are among the best batsmen he had witnessed during his days of officiating as an umpire. Gould also mentioned veteran South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis besides the two Indian giants and added that he regretted not getting to watch the best of former Australia captain Ricky Ponting during his time on the field.

"Jacques Kallis, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli. Jacques Kallis. I loved watching Jacques. He was a very, very fine player. Sachin. And probably Virat. I was unlucky in some respects. I didn't see the best of Ricky Ponting. He was an outstanding character, outstanding captain, such a proud Australian. But his career was just starting to wane as I came on the scene. But he was incredibly helpful, so I'm disappointed I have to leave him out," ESPNCricinfo quoted Gould as saying.

Explaining why he chose the three aforementioned names, Gould said Kallis and Kohli are the cricketers whose batting he could sit and watch all day long. Meanwhile, if he had to choose someone to bat for his life, Gould revealed he would choose Tendulkar.

"Jacques Kallis, I could sit and watch all day, Virat, the same. And Sachin, if you want someone to bat for your life, he was the man," he added.