'I am a huge fan of Virat': Two-time World Cup winner hails Kohli as the pillar of India's success

With the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 reaching its business end, all eyes are on Team India as they look to come out as invincible champions. The Men in Blue are three victories away from becoming the first side since Ricky Ponting's Australia of 2003 and 2007 to win the World Cup without incurring a loss in the entire tournament.

3 things you need to know

• Team India remains the only undefeated side in the ICC ODI World Cup after 8 matches
• Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have done the bulk of the scoring for Team India in the tournament
• India will potentially take on New Zealand in the semi-final of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023

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West Indies great thinks Team India should continue its dominating approach

Ahead of the looming semi-final stage of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, legendary West Indies batsman, Sir Vivian Richards has a piece of advice for Team India. According to Richards, India should continue playing the way they have throughout the tournament and must go "all guns blazing."

"India have a mindset that they can go all the way playing like this," Richards said on his column for the ICC. "That absolutely should be their mindset and would be mine if I was in that dressing room – let’s go out with all guns blazing. That approach has worked so far and if that changes, things may go astray," Richard further added.

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Showers praise on Virat Kohli

Further, he heaped praise on Virat Kohli for becoming the pillar of excellence for Team India.

"I am a huge fan of Virat, I have been for a long time, and he continues to show why he has to go down as one of the all-time greats, right up there with the likes of the great Sachin," Richards said. "Virat will have been through some tough times before this World Cup and some folks were even brave enough to call for his head," he further added.

Richards also paid heed to Kohli's exceptional return to form and gave props to his support system for always backing him.

"Credit must be given to the backroom staff and everyone who backed him. So much was said about his form but he is back on top of his game. It is phenomenal to see an individual who has had his low points bouncing back and playing like this. They say form is temporary – and he has certainly proven that class is permanent. I am so happy for him, he looks so focused and he is a credit to the game of cricket," concluded the legendary West Indies player.