RCB Teammates to Clash: Jacob Duffy Eager to Bowl to Virat Kohli
NZ pacer Jacob Duffy discusses his bond with RCB teammate Virat Kohli ahead of their high-stakes battle in the upcoming ODI series.
The upcoming five-match ODI series starting November 4 is set to be a spectacle of sporting greatness, not just because of the return of superstars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, but because of a fascinating internal rivalry. New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy is buzzing with excitement as he prepares for a high-stakes showdown against his Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) teammate, Virat Kohli.
From Changing Rooms to the Pitch
Having shared a dressing room with Kohli during RCB's back-to-back IPL triumphs this year, Duffy has had a front-row seat to the greatness of the Indian batting icon. Speaking during a media interaction in Auckland, Duffy revealed that he recently crossed paths with Kohli in the gym, describing the encounter as "cool" and praising the 37-year-old's welcoming nature.
Duffy was particularly struck by Kohli's humility. Despite being viewed as a "religious figure" and a megastar in the cricket-obsessed nation of India, the pacer noted that Kohli remains incredibly down-to-earth and made the overseas players at RCB feel welcome.
"It will be awesome to play against him now that I've sort of shared a changing room with him as well," Duffy remarked.
The Net Battle: A Double-Edged Sword
The rivalry isn't just beginning now; it has been simmering in the practice nets. Duffy shared that he and Kohli were often the first ones to arrive for training, meaning the pacer spent significant time bowling to the master batsman.
While this gave Duffy a taste of Kohli's brilliance, he admits the advantage might be mutual. Since Kohli has faced a barrage of Duffy's deliveries in the nets, the Indian star likely has a comprehensive blueprint on how to handle the New Zealander's pace and variations.
Valuable Insights on Indian Conditions
Beyond the competition, Duffy revealed that Kohli acted as a mentor regarding the complexities of playing in India. The two discussed the nuances of different wickets, with Kohli providing specific advice on lines and lengths and how to adjust bowling strategies based on the surface.
Duffy credited these "little insights" as being highly important for his own development and adaptability when playing in the subcontinent.
Kohli's Form: A Formidable Challenge
Duffy has a mountain to climb given Kohli's current prolific form. In nine innings this year, Kohli has amassed 552 runs at a staggering average of 69.00 and a strike rate of 117.94, including two centuries and three half-centuries, with a top score of 139 not out.
His recent outings against the West Indies further cement his dominance, where he scored 168 runs in three innings, highlighted by a blistering 139 not out off just 88 balls in a successful chase of 296.
As the second-highest run-scorer in the history of ODI cricket, Kohli enters the series with a legacy of 15,109 runs, 55 centuries, and 79 half-centuries. For Jacob Duffy, facing this mountain of statistics will be the ultimate test of his skills.