West Indies legend Vivian Richards hails Virat Kohli's 'magnificent' innings

Antigua: West Indian legend Vivian Richards has heaped praise on Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli, describing his maiden double hundred on the second day of the opening Test as "magnificent" and "classy".

"I think it was a magnificent hundred. To score a double hundred at Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground is a formidable task in terms of what he has achieved," Richards told the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) website.

"I remember when I met him at the hotel (before the Test series) I did say good luck, but I didn't believe he would take it this far in terms of achieving a double. As a batsman myself, it was very pleasing to see and even though it was against the West Indies, I do appreciate seeing class and his was a classy knock," he added.

Kohli cracked 200 off 283 balls to help India pile up an imposing 566/8 along with R Ashwin (113), who also scripted a century and Richards said he enjoyed watching the India Test skipper's innings.

"I think it's very special and for those of us here in Antigua and Barbuda (too), who appreciate seeing good knocks and seeing good batsmen perform," he said.

"Those who weren't here missed something, but I saw it and I am happy to say that it's the first time I saw (Virat) Kohli make century and to see him complete the double. I was here to speak, so I had a very good seat and I thoroughly enjoyed that."