Virat Kohli diplomatic on resumption of cricketing ties with Pakistan

India were clinical in their approach against Pakistan on Sunday. It was a game which was hugely anticipated as the tickets for the Edgbaston game were sold out months in advance. In the end, it was a disappointingly one-sided affair were India renounced their dominance over their arch-rivals in major ICC events.

Apart from calling right at the toss, Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmad didn’t have many things going in his favour. Their entire approach was very negative and they let India get off the hook on several occasions. Skipper Virat Kohli helped himself to another half-century in ODI cricket along with Dhawan, Rohit and Yuvraj, who also scored enterprising fifties.

‘Enjoy playing against Pakistan’

Kohli was delighted with the 124-run win and termed the performance as near perfect. Their fielding was an area where they can improve upon. Speaking to ESPN Cricinfo, Kohli said that he enjoys playing against Pakistan but can’t have an opinion on the resumption of the cricketing ties as that decision should be left to the higher officials.

“This one’s done and dusted,” Kohli said when asked if he enjoyed the contest. “We’ve played the game. It’s been completed fully. And as cricketers, those things are not in our hands. We come here to play the sport. And that’s all we focus on. It’s not my place to speak of any other decisions. The higher officials take care of those decisions. My opinion does not matter and should not matter.”

There have been a lot of talks between India and Pakistan recently for playing a bilateral series. PCB has even sent a notice to the BCCI for violating a MoU signed by both boards to play bilateral series between 2015 and 2023. BCCI have cited that they cannot do anything about it unless they get an approval from their government. If the current political turmoil between the neighbours is anything to go by, there is a lot of water that needs to pass under the bridge before we can witness a bilateral series between both sides.

‘Our job is to play cricket, can’t have preferences’

Kohli said that as a cricketer his job is to play cricket and they can’t have any preference for a side they want to face. “But regardless of who you play, you just want to play cricket. At the end of the day, for us, it’s just playing the sport we love. It’s not preferences over the opposition. And that’s all I can say to this. You do enjoy playing against them. They’re a very competitive side. The atmosphere is great. From that regard, as a cricketer, we really enjoyed this game, that’s all I can say.”

India and Pakistan have played just 2 bilateral series in the last decade with the last one being played in India in 2012. Since then, both teams have met each other in ICC events and the odd Asia Cup outing. India have maintained their dominance over their rivals in ICC events. Ever since they were pitted in the World Cup of 1992, both sides have played 14 games in ICC tournaments and India has an impressive record of 12-2.