Virat Kohli Over Sachin? Hashim Amla’s Shocking Pick Stuns Cricket Fans

Hashim Amla, a legend of South African cricket and possibly the modern era’s most elegant batter, has stirred up some controversy in the cricket world with his recent choices for the top three batters of all time. In an interview from England, where he is playing in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025, Amla omitted Indian great Sachin Tendulkar from his top 3 – a shocking omission that fans across the globe have reacted to.

No Sachin? Amla’s Picks Include Kohli, AB & Viv

Amla’s omission of Sachin Tendulkar is surprising in light of the Indian’s extravagant legacy – 100 international centuries, over 34,000 international runs, the longest career in international cricket history – but Amla made a point to choose another player.

Instead, Amla picked:

• Virat Kohli – modern-day legend and one of the most consistent run-scorers
• AB de Villiers – Mr. 360 and Amla’s long-time teammate
• Sir Vivian Richards – West Indies great known for his fearless batting

Hashim Amla reveals his top 3 batters at the World Championship of Legends… and drops a name he’s got his eyes on! 👀#WCL2025 👉 IND Champions vs SA Champions | TUE, 22nd JULY, 9 PM | LIVE on Star Sports Network pic.twitter.com/P1PtiUrV1h

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) July 20, 2025

“There are so many over the years. Growing up, my three favourite players were Brian Lara, Steve Waugh, and Jacques Kallis. But maybe three other names: Virat, AB de Villiers, and Sir Vivian Richards,” Amla told Star Sports.

Hashim Amla Shines in Legends League with South Africa Champions

Now 42 years old, Hashim Amla is playing under AB de Villiers’ captaincy for the South Africa Champions in the WCL 2025. In a recent match against the West Indies Legends on July 19, he scored 15 runs off 18 balls. His next game is on Tuesday, July 22, against the India Legends led by Yuvraj Singh at County Ground, Northampton.

With 18,672 international runs for South Africa, Amla’s opinion holds a lot of respect. In an interview with Star Sports, he was asked to name his all-time top three batters. His answer surprised the cricket world.

Kohli Over Tendulkar – A Debate Reignited

Choosing Virat Kohli over Sachin Tendulkar has sparked the ongoing debate among cricket fans about different generations. While Sachin’s records are incredible, Kohli’s steady performance across formats, his knack for winning matches, and his ability to handle pressure have earned him a place among the greats—even other players like Amla think so.

Amla’s choice of AB de Villiers makes sense because of their close bond and respect for each other. At the same time, Sir Vivian Richards stands for the bold, aggressive style of cricket that has inspired many players today.

Reunion With Old Rivals – WCL 2025 Gets Intense

Amla isn’t only in the news for his commentary, he’s still playing and preparing to play some of his toughest opponents from international cricket. One of those names is Chris Gayle, now West Indies Legends captain in WCL 2025, otherwise known as the “Universe Boss”.

“Universe Boss. He’s definitely the one I always look forward to watching and playing again,” Hashim Amla told.

When Hashim Amla’s South Africa Champions take on India Legends and maybe clash one more time with West Indies Legends, it promises to be action-packed.