Veteran Australia spinner Shane Warne said that Viv Richards is the greatest batsman he has ever seen, but India captain Virat Kohli is "pushing that conversation".

"Viv is the best batsman I have ever seen. Sachin (Tendulkar) and (Brian) Lara are the two best batters I have played with and now across all formats Virat is just the best. It is tough to think anyone is better than Viv but Virat is pushing that conversation," Warne said.

Shane Warne also said that Australia batsman Steve Smith should not be burdened with the captaincy role now and he should just play the way he has been playing after returning from the ban due to ball-tampering scandal. He also helped Australia retaining the Ashes.

"If Tim Paine can make runs, he should continue as captain. I want Smith to bat as much as he can with no more distractions," Warne said. "Paine has to make runs. I feel Steve should be allowed to bat till the rest of his career, not other distractions."

Shane Warne also chose Smith, Kohli and New Zealand captain Kane Williamson as the top three batters at the moment, saying that Steve Smith is his favourite Australian batsman from the current circuit. However, the veteran has said that he is open to coaching Australia in the future.

The 50-year old, considered as the best leg-spinner the game has ever seen, is the mentor of Rajasthan Royals, a franchise of the Indian Premier League and he led this team to the first-ever IPL title in 2008. He further picked up Mark Taylor as the best captain he has played under as well.

Shane Warne added, "Would also love to coach an IPL team down the line but at the moment I am happy mentoring Royals. I am never saying no to anything."