Virat Kohli has been on a dream run as Indian captain right from the very start of 2017. 9 back to back Test series win in 2017 followed by 3 international Test tons ( 2 ODI, 1 Test) in 2018, Kohli is ready for yet another year to make it his own.
Speaking about Kohli's meteoric rise as India captain, former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi has said that the mix of caution and aggression is working wonders in the way Kohli is leading this young bunch of Indian outfit.
“The way Virat Kohli is taking Indian team ahead, he is doing a fantastic job,” Afridi said at the sidelines of the inaugural match of the St Moritz Ice Cricket tournament 2018 in Switzerland on Thursday.
“Controlled aggression is always good. One should be aggressive, Virat has it in him. If you look at (MS) Dhoni then he is very cool-minded and relaxed. Everyone has their own nature. Virat has his own style to lead his team and controlled aggression is acceptable,” he added. “If you take everyone ahead together, if the captain supports the young players or those in troubled times, he also earns respect" Afridi pointed out the big positive of Kohl's captaincy.
When asked about how long he wants to play cricket, Afridi said that he wants to focus on franchise T20 cricket right now.
“For me, I want to concentrate only on the leagues (T20 tournaments), wherever they are. Be it England, Australia or Bangladesh. But I also have a bigger cause, working with my foundation (Shahid Afridi Foundation). This is what I am working on,” Afridi added.
He also kept his views on the stretched relations between India and Pakistan and spoke about the possibilities of bilateral ties in future.
“We (sportspersons) are ambassadors from our respective countries. We should look to do positive things. Siyaasatdano ko apni siyaasat karni chahiye (Politicians should do what they are supposed to), but I think we (sportspersons) can play a bigger role for both the countries. I have always maintained that the better the relations are between India and Pakistan, ham bohot saare dushmano ke mooh par thappad marenge (we will deliver a blow to those who are against us),” he said.
"Pakistan and India should always have good relations. Ye jo saat samundar paar rehte hai log, jo hame aapas me ladwane ki koshish karte hai wo is cheez ka faayda uthaate hai (People who live seven seas beyond, who try to start a fight between us, they take the benefit of this (sore relations between two countries),” Afridi added.
In the first match of the St. Moritz Ice Cricket League, the Royals led by Shahid Afridi won against the Palace Diamonds led by Virender Sehwag.
Batting first, the Diamonds led by Sehwag's 62 scored 164 in their 20 overs which was toppled by the Royals inside 16 overs. For the Royals the chase was led by Owais Shah's unbeaten 74 with Kallis, Smith and Elliot chipping in with important contributions. Afridi, unfortunately, was out for a duck.
