Kohli keeps his promise, gifts Amir a willow

 While India-Pakistan cricket rivalry has always been a fierce one, the protagonists involved themselves have always enjoyed great bonhomie. A fine gesture from Virat Kohli here on Friday only underlined the camaraderie between players from either side.

Kohli was fulfilling a promise he had made to Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir who had asked for a bat from the collection of the Indian batting star during the Asia Cup last month. Kohli had assured Amir that he will do so when the paceman comes to India for the World T20. On Friday, as India were winding down their practice here at the Eden, Kohli engaged himself in a long conversation with Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi. During the course of that interaction, Kohli called Amir and presented him with one of his bats much to the delight of the left-arm quick.

“I had asked him for a bat during the Asia Cup and Virat said he would give me one in India,” Amir said later. “I am glad he remembered that. He has fantastic bats, and I am confident I will be able to contribute with the bat too in time to come for Pakistan,” he added.

Kohli had also praised Amir, who has returned to international cricket after serving a jail sentence for spot-fixing, for his performance in the Asia Cup. “I would like to congratulate Mohammad Aamir for the way he bowled, I actually congratulated him while he was bowling,” Kohli had said after their win over Pakistan in Dhaka. Amir then had bowled fiery spell during which he had winkled out Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane in quick succession. “I was really happy to play such an amazing spell of fast bowling. May god bless him with more success. That tested me out completely. To come out of that, it gives me a lot of confidence as a batsman.”