Adam Gilchrist names Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Joe Root current Top 3 batsmen in world cricket

New Delhi: The man who changed how wicket-keeping was perceived in the world of cricket, Adam Gilchrist is unarguably one of the finest ever in his role.

Gilly recently made a trip to Manipal, as part of the delegation from the University of Wollongong led by Professor Paul Wellings, as Australia’s Education Ambassador to India.

As always, the legend's feedback on Indi and its players, especially Virat Kohli had to come.

When asked on his views on India's Test captain, Gilchrist said, “I’m not saying this because I’m in India, but Virat, Joe Root and AB De Villiers are the best in the world right now”.

The former Aussie wicket keeper also named Muttiah Muralitharan as the toughest opponent he ever faced.

“Murali was very difficult. I had no clue most of the time. I’d think it would come in and it would rip past my blade and vice versa and then a quicker one in between. I just swept him when I wasn’t sure (chuckles).“And as a team, the most difficult opponent we faced were India in India. We came here in 2001 and had no clue about the conditions but it was a very good series and a learning experience for a lot of us. We almost won in 2001. Then when we came back here in 2004 we crossed that line and actually won. So yeah India has always been a tough side to beat at home.”

Gilly also gave his thoughts on MS Dhoni and the heating Virat Kohli-Sachin Tendulkar debate.

Before hanging his boots, Gilchrist scored 5570 runs from 96 Test at an average of 47.60 and 9619 runs from 287 ODIs. He was as influential behind the stumps, taking close to 800 catches and inflicting 100 stumpings.