Jacob Duffy Excited to Face Virat Kohli in Upcoming ODI Series
New Zealands Jacob Duffy praises Virat Kohli ahead of the ODI series, sharing insights from their time together in the IPL.
Hamilton, November 1 (Daily Kiran) : New Zealand fast bowler Jacob Duffy has expressed his admiration for Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli ahead of the ODI series between New Zealand and India, starting on November 4. Duffy, who previously shared a dressing room with Kohli at Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) during IPL 2026, is looking forward to the challenge of bowling against the legendary batsman.
In a media interaction on Sunday, Duffy remarked on Kohli’s down-to-earth nature despite his superstar status in India, where he is often treated like a deity. “I met him yesterday at the gym, and it was great to see how welcoming he is, even to foreign players like us,” Duffy said. “The respect I have for him has grown immensely after sharing the dressing room with him. Playing against him will be a fantastic experience.”
Duffy noted that during their time at RCB, he had many discussions with Kohli about strategies for Indian pitches. “His approach to the game is remarkable. I bowled to him frequently in the nets since he was always the first batsman, and I was the first bowler. We spent a lot of time facing each other, which was beneficial,” he explained. Kohli’s insights into adjusting to different pitch conditions were particularly valuable to Duffy.
The Kiwi bowler also expressed his enthusiasm for ODI cricket, emphasizing the importance of the upcoming five-match series against India as crucial preparation for the 2027 World Cup. “I love ODI cricket. The ball swings initially, allowing bowlers to bowl ‘hard lengths’, and then you see plenty of boundaries towards the end of the innings,” he said. With the World Cup set to take place in South Africa next year, Duffy believes these matches will play a significant role in shaping the team’s future.
Reflecting on his childhood, Duffy shared how the 2015 and 2019 World Cups inspired him. “These tournaments are the pinnacle of our sport. They are the big events I grew up watching and worked hard to be a part of. Clearly, these matches a year before the World Cup are essential for us as we aim to establish our place in the team,” he added.
