By dubailife 
Aravinda de Silva Reflects on Cricketing Greats at Dubai’s Jafza Cup
Under the sunny skies at the DP World Cricket Ground in Jafza, Dubai, cricket legend Aravinda de Silva stood amidst fans, smiling for cameras and engaging with amateur cricketers during a memorable meet-and-greet session at the Jafza Cup, a corporate tournament.
Fans eagerly bombarded the iconic Sri Lankan cricketer with questions about his match-winning performances, particularly his heroics in the 1996 Cricket World Cup, where his fearless batting cemented his legacy.
De Silva answered questions about his ability to tackle the most hostile bowlers of his era and shared his perspective on the meteoric rise of T20 cricket, which has redefined the sport since his retirement in 2003 at age 37.
The Greatest Bowlers and Batters
When asked to name his top three bowlers, De Silva paused thoughtfully before naming a fierce competitor.
“Wasim Akram. He was unbelievable. The best I faced,” he said, adding, “It’s hard to name the second and third because there were so many greats — Richard Hadlee, Imran Khan, and the incredible West Indian quartet of Malcolm Marshall, Michael Holding, Andy Roberts, and Joel Garner.”
Fans then turned their attention to De Silva’s picks for the best batters in cricket history.
“Viv Richards and Brian Lara,” he declared before hesitating. “The third is a toss-up between Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli.”
The mention of Kohli drew enthusiastic applause from the crowd.
De Silva’s admiration for Kohli runs deep. During one of India’s tours to Sri Lanka, the legendary cricketer even invited Kohli for dinner at his home in Colombo. De Silva’s former teammate, Asanka Gurusinha, revealed that the Sri Lankan legend was keen to understand the brilliance of the Indian batter during that meal.
Virat Kohli: A Living Legend in a Challenging Phase
De Silva spoke highly of Kohli, praising his ability to join the pantheon of greats. “Virat, for me, is one of the top players in the world. I have no doubt about his class,” he told Khaleej Times.
Despite Kohli’s prolonged lean patch in Test cricket, De Silva dismissed talks of retirement, stating, “It’s entirely up to him to decide. He has performed extraordinarily well, and I don’t think anyone should speculate about his retirement.”
The Indian maestro’s struggles mirror those faced by other sporting greats. Kohli’s once-mighty dominance, reminiscent of Novak Djokovic’s peak in tennis, has recently faltered. However, Kohli has a history of bouncing back, as seen in 2014, when he overcame a disastrous tour in England to score an astounding 692 runs with four centuries in Australia.
Kohli’s Next Test: The Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Now at 36, Kohli faces a defining moment in his career. With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia set to begin, the spotlight will be on the Indian great to reclaim his form.
De Silva’s unwavering faith in Kohli underscores the hope that cricket fans from Dubai to India hold for the modern legend to rise once again. Whether playing on the hallowed grounds of Dubai or dominating Down Under, Kohli’s journey continues to inspire.
Source : Khaleejtimes