Virat Kohli, India's batting maestro, readies himself for a practice session at Perth's Optus Stadium. — AFP
At the scenic DP World Cricket Ground in Jafza, Dubai, Aravinda de Silva, the legendary Sri Lankan cricketer, greeted fans with a smile, answering their queries during a meet-and-greet session at the Jafza Cup corporate tournament. Fans eagerly asked about his iconic performance in the 1996 World Cup, where he cemented his place among cricketing legends. They also sought his insights on his fearless batting against formidable bowlers and his views on the rise of T20 cricket, which has transformed the game since his retirement in 2003.
When asked to name his top three bowlers and batters of all time, De Silva paused thoughtfully. “Wasim Akram. He was an unbelievable bowler, the best I faced,” he said. “Choosing the second and third is tough because there were so many greats—Richard Hadlee, Imran Khan, and the formidable West Indian quartet of Malcolm Marshall, Michael Holding, Andy Roberts, and Joel Garner. They were all exceptional.”
The crowd eagerly awaited his top three batters. “Viv Richards and Brian Lara,” he began, pausing again. “And the third is a toss-up between Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli.” The mention of Kohli drew applause, signifying his esteemed place among cricketing greats.
De Silva holds Kohli in high regard, even inviting him to dinner in Colombo during an India-Sri Lanka tour. Asanka Gurusinha, De Silva’s former teammate, revealed how De Silva tried to understand Kohli’s brilliance over a meal. It’s not uncommon for legends to admire current stars. Kohli, in 2016 and 2017, was a formidable force, akin to Novak Djokovic at his peak. However, like Djokovic, Kohli now faces a lean patch in Test cricket.
At 36, Kohli struggles with modest spinners on turning tracks, a stark contrast to his earlier dominance. His recent 3-0 defeat to New Zealand has sparked criticism. He begins the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in Perth on Friday, a series crucial for his career. De Silva believes it’s disrespectful to speculate about a great cricketer’s retirement. “Virat is one of the top players in the world. He should decide when to retire. He has performed extraordinarily well,” De Silva told the Khaleej Times.
In 2014, Kohli faced a similar low after a poor series in England. He then faced Australia’s fierce attack, led by Mitchell Johnson, scoring 692 runs with four centuries. India lost, but Kohli proved his Test prowess. Can he replicate this Down Under? The next 45 days will reveal the answer as India battles Australia in a five-Test series.
De Silva remains a Kohli admirer. “He has done amazing things for Indian cricket and is an amazing ambassador for the sport. He should decide when to retire, knowing exactly when it’s time,” De Silva said. As the sun set at the DP World Cricket Ground, De Silva named Kohli among his greatest batters. On Wednesday morning, fans worldwide will watch with anticipation as Kohli faces his challenges.
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