Always respect competitiveness in opponents: Virat Kohli all praise for Niroshan Dickwella

Virat Kohli is known to play cricket the hard way. He does not give an inch to the opposition, nor does he expect any either. Play fair and square has been Kohli’s mantra.

He was in the thick of things in the final stages of the first Test in Kolkata when Sri Lanka, faced with a stiff target of 231, were facing defeat. In came gutsy wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella, who used time-wasting tactics as light was also fading at the Eden Gardens.

Kohli was often seen complaining to the umpires Nigel Llong and Joel Wilson about Dickwella’s tactics. In the end, he was all admiration for the competitive skills showed by the left-handed batsman-wicketkeeper as the match ended in a draw.

Kohli, never one to hide his admiration for rival players, said on Thursday: “I like to see that character. I liked that competitiveness on the field. He (Dickwella) is someone who takes a lot of pride in his cricket. I was impressed with what I have seen so far from the last series as well.

“He has got great ability to do something very special for Sri Lankan cricket. I like to see that competitiveness on the field. In the heat of things, I will do anything for my team to win. Afterwards we had a normal chat, and on the flight as well. Those things end on the field. When you are competitive as an opponent, we always respect that about any opponent. He is a very feisty character and that works for his game. Credit to him for maintaining that and I am sure he will do many good things in Sri Lankan cricket.”