Kohli the best in the world: Waugh

Test legend Steve Waugh has been so impressed with Virat Kohli that he's told 16-year-old son Austin to aspire to play like the Indian skipper.

Kohli, 26, took over as India's full-time Test captain this year and last month steered his side to their first series victory on Sri Lankan soil in 22 years.

He impressed in his first stint as captain in Australia last summer, scoring centuries in three of his first four innings as skipper and averaging 86.50 for the series.

Watch: Kohli blazes his way to another hundred

The right-hander backed up that performance with a century in the first Test in Galle, taking his career tally to 33 international centuries.

Waugh, who led Australia to an unprecedented period of success in the early 2000s, has been taken by Kohli's development.

"I think he is probably the best batsman in the world," Waugh told The Mumbai Mirror.

"Technically, he is fantastic. I have a 16- year-old son and I have told him 'if you need someone as your role model, I think he should be Virat Kohli'. He should aspire to play like him.

"I like aggression in players, if it can be controlled. Sometimes, Virat crosses the line a little bit but I like his passion. 

"Virat Kohli will go down as an all-time great. I think (Ajinkya) Rahane will also get into that category."

Austin Waugh has not been weighed down by his famous father's name and is forging an impressive career of his own; he was named in Australia's Under-16s team in June after some strong performances at the under-age national championships.

Quick Single: Waugh Jnr earns Under-16 selection

Waugh said he was confident Australia could bounce back from their Ashes defeat and the loss of a raft of experienced players over the past few months.

Michael Clarke, Ryan Harris, Chris Rogers, Shane Watson and Brad Haddin have all announced their retirement from the Test arena, taking with them 292 matches worth of experience.

But Waugh says Australia has reason to be optimistic as they embark on a new era under the leadership of Steve Smith.

"Every side goes through transition with varying degrees," he said.

"We have lost some experienced players in Haddin, Michael Clarke, Chris Rogers, Shane Watson.

"It is a changeover period but we have got enough talent in Australia.

"I am a big believer in the theory that there is someone always there to bridge the breach."