Kohli's record insane, I won't bowl to him: Shane Warne

New Delhi: The debate on whether India skipper Virat Kohli is as good or better than the legendary Sachin Tendulkar shall not die down any time soon. But former Australia leg-spinner and current Rajasthan Royals brand ambassador Shane Warne has a fun take on this. Asked on and off about the two and who he considers best, Warne says he "would not wish to bowl to either of the Indian batsmen".

As the Royals prepare for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League, Warne said while Viv Richards was the best ODI batsman he has seen, he would like to judge Kohli once his career is done.

Going back to who he would bowl to, Warne joked that he would rather bowl to someone like former South Africa batsman Daryl Cullinan — known to have been his bunny during their playing days.

"Sachin in the mid 90s and also Brian Lara in the mid 90s were a class above everyone else. Not so much in the later half of their careers, but in that phase of four to five years from 1994-95 they were just a class above.

"Virat and Sachin are two completely different players altogether, but they are greats. None (I would wish to bowl to) actually (Warne laughs). To me both are terrific players, I couldn't chose one," he said.

"To me we all know Don Bradman was the best batsman and that is unanimous. Outside that, to me Viv Richards was the best player I saw. I would rather bowl to someone else. Bring me Cullinan to bowl to, he is easy.

"To me the best ODI batsman I have seen would be Viv and Virat. His record is just insane — that how good he is. It is just so hard to judge a player when he is playing," he added.

Commenting on his role with the Royals this year, Warne said he was looking forward to the role of promoting the franchise as also he would look to find some time to go and have a chat with the players.

"I love the evolution of the IPL, the passion of the fans and the evolving of the tactics of the players. I have been a captain and coach for four years, I was a consultant, I was a mentor with the team last year and now a brand ambassador.

"I will be working more off field this year, spreading a word on the Royals globally which is pretty cool. But yes, I will try and have some interaction with the players at some stage. I have really enjoyed it," he recollected.

Royals batsman and former Australia skipper Steve Smith will look to make his return to the world stage — post the 12-month ban

for his part in the Sandpaper Gate fiasco — with the

IPL and Warne believes that he is a class act and he will definitely return to action a lot more hungry.