India captain Virat Kohli's admiration for Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir is well documented. Both are fierce competitors on the cricket field and always look to dominate each other but they also have plenty of mutual respect and admiration. Time and again, Kohli has showered high praise on the bowler since his return to international cricket after the spot-fixing scandal. In return, Amir has also spoken about Kohli being his favourite batsman.
Now, the 28-year-old Kohli has gone a step ahead and said that Amir is the one who always keeps him on his toes.
Kohli made the revelation during a chat show with Bollywood star Aamir Khan.
"In the recent times, Mohammad Amir of Pakistan (keeps him on his toes). 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. Oustanding! Very good bowler!," Kohli said.
When Amir made a return to international cricket after serving a five-year spot-fixing ban, Kohli said: "I am very happy to see Amir back in action. He understood his mistake and has corrected himself and came back. He has always been an outstanding bowler, a world-class bowler." Kohli also gifted Amir one of his willows during the World T20 2016.
Kohli also praised the left-arm pacer during the 2016 Asia Cup. "I would like to complement Mohammad Amir for the way he bowled. I actually congratulated him while he was bowling. I was so happy to play such an amazing spell. He is a world class bowler."
Continuing the friendship forward, Amir had rated Kohli as the best batsman in the world during a chat session on Twitter. Amir also picked Kohli ahead of Australia's Steve Smith, England's Joe Root and New Zealand's Kane Williamson.
Amir and Kohli have been involved in some exciting encounters in the past and while the Indian captain has dominated on most occasions, the left-arm pacer had the last laugh when India and Pakistan met in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 final. Amir dismissed Kohli for 5 as India went on to lose the Champions Trophy final against Pakistan by 180 runs.
