Virat Kohli’s character is different from MS Dhoni, says this former cricketer

MS-Dhoni-and-Virat-Kohli
Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni together. Image Source: twitter

Internet Desk: Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli is in red hot form as he has already scored two brilliant tons against South Africa in the ongoing ODI series. The Men in Blue has already taken an unassailable 3-0 lead in the six-match ODI series. Former Pakistan cricket team captain who recently beat Virender Sehwag’s XI in St Moritz Ice Cricket Tournament, heaped praise for Kohli because of his remarkable captaincy.

“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,” said Afridi while talking to PTI.

He further added that, Kohli can take the team along with him. “Now suddenly, you cannot change the inherent nature of a person. Virat’s greatest asset is that he can take the team along.”

Both of them had played against each other before Afridi’s retirement. While talking about his relationship with the India skipper, he said,“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 (Shahid Afridi Foundation).”

Though there are a lot of political tensions between the two countries, Afridi said that he and Kohli share a warm relation. “There is a lot of warmth and fellow-feeling whenever I have spoken to Virat. It’s not that we get a chance to speak a lot but from time to time, he would drop in a message and I would do the same. I congratulated him recently when I came to know he was getting married,” he said.

Afridi further added that he and Kohli can set an example for the two countries. “I believe as cricketers we can set examples of how relationship between individuals can be a template for relationship between countries. I think after Pakistan, the two countries where I have received most love and respect are India and Australia,” he said.

On being asked about comparing Kohli with Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Khan, the power hitter added, “Sarfraz is still new to the job and he will only get better along the way. The only thing I don’t like is that media running down players during their rough times. As long as you are winning, everything is fine and you lose a game and all hell breaks loose. That is grossly unfair. We should not overlook someone’s past achievements just because he is going through a bad patch.”