“I am more than happy to shake his hand and say hello to him”
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Australia spinner Nathan Lyon has insisted that he holds no ill feeling towards India captain Virat Kohli following an intense four-Test series in February-March, which India won 2-1.
The series was marred by numerous verbal spats between both sides and while Australia skipper Steve Smith apologised after the series concluded, Kohli gave the Baggy Greens the cold shoulder by saying that he was no longer friends with any of the Australian players.
However, he later clarified his comments and insisted that they had been “blown way out of proportion”.
While Kohli may still hold a grudge against some of the Australian players, Lyon made it clear that he would take a more friendly approach if he were to meet the 28-year-old again.
“I am the type of guy who will play hard on the field and compete very hard but I am more than happy to talk to anyone off the field,” he said. “I am more than happy to shake his hand and say hello to him, that is for sure. There is no harm in being nice. ”
Lyon also admitted that Kohli can be “quite emotional” before adding that he doesn’t expect the Indian skipper to share his feelings of being friends.
“He gets a crowd up behind him over in India but that is who he is,” he said. “I don’t think Virat will give me a Christmas card though.”