My relationship with Virat is not dictated by political situation, claims Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi has stated that his relationship with Virat Kohli isn’t affected by the ever brewing political tensions between India and Pakistan. The former Pakistan cricket superstar also heaped praise on the Indian skipper, pointing out his incredible ability to "take the team along with him".
Though the political differences between India and Pakistan have brought a screeching halt to the once-popular bilateral series between the two nations, it has never soured the camaraderie that the players share with each other. And Afridi’s recent claim of his friendship with Kohli only reflects it brilliantly.
The Indian skipper has always shared a strong bond with the former Pakistan cricketing star and has also shown a keen interest in Afridi’s foundation, which works to provide cleaner and safer drinking water for the economically weaker sections of the society.
“My relationship with Virat is not dictated by the political situation. Virat is a fantastic human being and an ambassador of cricket for his country, just like I am for my country. He (Kohli) has always shown a lot of respect and has even gone out of his way to present a signed jersey for my foundation," said Afridi on the sidelines of the St Moritz Ice Cricket Tournament, reported PTI.
Kohli has been in tremendous form of late in the ongoing South African tour, where he has been averaging an incredible 318 in the ODI series. And Afridi, who was an individualist during his long international career, can relate to Kohli's aggression on the field. Afridi believes that Kohli’s affinity towards helping juniors in crisis situations has garnered him a lot of respect.
"Virat is doing a brilliant job. I have no problem with aggression if it is a controlled one. And Virat's character is different from Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who was a composed individual. Now suddenly, you cannot change the inherent nature of a person. Virat's greatest asset is that he can take the team along," Afridi said.
Afridi had caused a massive furore across the cricketing world during 2016’s T20 World Cup when he had said that he has always been showered "more love in India than back home". He was forced to clarify his comments later by stating that he was "trying to send a positive message in a diplomatic way" with his statement. And he reiterated his thoughts again on Saturday.
“I believe as cricketers we can set examples of how the relationship between individuals can be a template for the relationship between countries. I think after Pakistan, the two countries where I have received most love and respect are India and Australia,” he added.
