‘He’s my favourite batsman’ – Amir reacts to Kohli’s praise

LAHORE: Mohammad Amir has termed Virat Kohli his favourite batsman, as the pacer reacted to the Indian skipper’s words of praise for him in a recent interview.

Kohli, in a talk show with Bollywood star Aamir Khan, had said Amir was one of the toughest bowlers he’s ever faced.

“In the recent times, Mohammad Amir of Pakistan. He is in the top two or three bowlers in the world and the toughest bowlers I have played in my career. You have to be on your ‘A’ Game when you’re facing him or he will strike. Outstanding! Very good bowler!” the Indian skipper had gushed.

Amir, who is in Lahore for rehab after facing a shin injury earlier, told Geo News on Friday it feels nice whenever Kohli praises him.

“Kohli is my favourite batsman. He’s outstanding and successful. In order to face a tough batsman like him I have to be tough as well,” said Amir, adding that the Indian skipper’s praise gives him confidence.

Amir said he and Kohli enjoy great mutual understanding. “We have been playing together since U-19. Whenever we come across each other we meet cordially.”

“But there’s no friendship on the field. I always have a plan to get him out early,” the bowler quipped.

“If you get Kohli out, it means you have got half of the Indian team out, he’s that great,” he added, saying he would get to learn a lot if he and Kohli play in any league together.

Kohli is well known for his generous praise for Amir. Earlier during Asia Cup 2016, the batman had complimented Amir on his spell and called the young paceman a “world class bowler”, along with gifting him his bat in a wonderful gesture of the spirit of cricket.

“I really like Kohli’s bats. I asked him once or twice to give me his bats. Now he just gives them to me himself,” Amir said with a smile.

“If Kohli ever needs anything from here I’ll make sure to send it to him,” the bowler offered.

Amir added that both Pakistan and India should support cricket. “The social media wars are not good,” he remarked.