Matthew Hayden believes cricket cannot be an Olympic sport

World Cup-winning former Australian opener Matthew Hayden believes that cricket cannot be an olympic sport, picked David Warner as the best Test batsman and reveals where Virat Kohli ranks among the best finishers to have ever played the game.

In an exclusive interview with TOI, Hayden spoke about the best batsman in the world at the moment, who the best finisher is and compared India's batting legend from the past, Sachin Tendulkar to one who is on his way to becoming one, Virat Kohli.

Speaking about the upcoming West Indies-India T20I series in the USA, the former Australian opener said: "I have spoken about globalization and I believe it can be a hit in US, where there is such a big expat population.

"But I don't think cricket can be an Olympic sport - it's a professional sport and it goes against the grain of an Olympic sport just the way tennis is."

Hayden also weighed in on the best batsman debate and said that he would pick David Warner if it was just the longest format of the game.

"It's top three actually -David Warner, Virat Kohli an AB de Villiers," he said. "If it's Test cricket I would go with Warner. He has matured a lot as a Test cricketer, has got unlimited options against pace and dominates spin as well. He is probably one of the fittest guys and that makes him a complete package."

He admitted that Warner was better than him although he was quick to add that his "defense was a shade better".

Although the former Australian opener was quick to add that Virat Kohli is on his way to becoming "one of the greatest ever", he said that the achievements of Sachin Tendulkar should not be forgotten.

"You should understand that this country would not have been the same if Sachin had not strode out into the middle for 25 years," the 44-year-old said. "Who would have Virat looked up to? Maybe Dravid or Ganguly or VVS and would have done a great job at that, but Sachin provided a huge impetus to the nation."

Speaking about Kohli's finishing, he said: "As a finisher Virat is one of the best ever to have played the game. He has great wrists, fantastic placement sense and most importantly is one of the fittest players. That is the holy trinity that makes a great finisher and Virat owns all three."

Hayden was also bemused as to why Murali Vijay doesn't play in all three formats for India and admitted he has "no idea" why the current Australian team cannot play spin.