'Champion' Kohli could be next Tendulkar: Harbhajan

Mohali: Veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh has described Virat Kohli as a 'champion player', insisting that the star batsman could become the next Sachin Tendulkar if he continues to produce match-winning performances consistently in the coming future.

Read: ICC World T20: Virat Kohli's unbeaten 82 takes India to semis

Kohli reprised his role as Australia's tormentor-in-chief, smacking nine fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 82-run knock off just 51 balls to steer India into semifinals of the World Twenty20 after thumping Australia by thrilling six wickets in Mohali on Sunday.

"Sachin Tendulkar was obviously one of those rare players that the world has seen," Harbhajan told bcci.tv.

Read: Australia praises World T20's 'Virat show'

"If Virat continues to work hard and do the things that he has been doing now in the years to come, then he could be the next Sachin Tendulkar. It will be a proud moment for me if that happens because we were backing a young Kohli since his early days. It is so good to see him flourish and express himself and I am happy for him. Hats off!."

Read: Virat Kohli is fantastic but others must step up

Kohli's scintillating performance against Australia left many pondering whether the tattooed batsman could be the next Tendulkar, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsman to play the game ever, in the making.

Read: Sachin Tendulkar in Sharjah, Virat Kohli in Mohali

In his 24-year-long international career, Tendulkar created and broke umpteenth number of records including most number of Tests and ODIs played, most number of runs made in Test and ODIs, and the only man in international cricket to make 100 centuries.