Virat Kohli sauntering towards Sachin Tendulkar's records that once looked staggering and seemingly unsurpassable has amazed the icon, who Thursday called the Indian captain one of the greatest but said he "never believed" in comparisons.
Recently Kohli surpassed Tendulkar to become the fastest player to score 10,000 One Day International runs. He is also inching towards Tendulkar's record for highest number of ODI hundreds (49), having notched his 38th ton in Pune in the third game against West Indies.
"Coming to Virat's development as a player, I think he has developed immensely. And I always saw that spark in him. I always felt that he is going to be one of the leading players in the world, not just of this generation, but one of the leading players of all time," Tendulkar told reporters here.
"And then it is again about opinions. But if one has to go into comparisons, then I don't want to get into that. There were different bowlers who played in 60s, 70s, 80s, and possibly in my time and what they are playing today. So I wouldn't want to get into that," he said.
Tendulkar categorically stressed that he did not believe in comparisons.
"I think first of all, like how Virat has said and I have been saying for 24 years that I have played. I have never believed in comparison. Each generation if you take from the time cricket was played from day one to now, the change has been constant.
Tendulkar also praised teenage prodigy Prithvi Shaw, terming the right-handed batsman a fast-leaner.
"I think I can talk about Prithvi. He's progressed tremendously. I feel with the age he is only going to get better. So Prithvi is someone who will continue to perform well. Yes Australian trip is going to be a good exposure to him. And whatever I have seen, he is fast-learner. So I see him ready for that.”