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Jacob Duffy Says Facing Virat Kohli in ODIs Will Be 'Awesome' After RCB Days
The New Zealand pacer, who shared an IPL title-winning dressing room with Kohli, says the Indian star's humility and nets habits left a lasting impression.
New Zealand fast bowler Jacob Duffy says he is looking forward to bowling at Virat Kohli in the upcoming ODI series, after seeing the batting great up close as a teammate at Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Duffy was part of RCB's title-winning IPL campaign earlier this year. He told Cricinfo he ran into Kohli in the gym just a day before speaking, and that the Indian star had been "awesome" to him throughout.
What stood out most was Kohli's manner. Duffy described him as a "religious figure" in India and a megastar, yet said he stayed down-to-earth and went out of his way to welcome the overseas players in the squad. Duffy said he was grateful for that.
The two also got to know each other's game the hard way. Duffy said Kohli was always the first batter in the nets and he was always the first bowler, so they faced each other a lot. Kohli's work ethic, he said, was great. The flip side: Kohli has now seen plenty of Duffy too, so the batter will arrive well prepared.
Duffy's recent form has been mixed. He conceded plenty of runs in the second and third T20Is against India, then returned with four wickets in the fourth match, which New Zealand won by 87 runs. Now he must switch quickly to 50-over cricket.
He is happy to make that shift. Duffy said he likes ODIs because the new ball offers hard lengths and swing early on, followed by some "hit and giggle" near the end. The five-match series begins in Auckland on November 4.
There is a bigger picture as well. The 2027 World Cup in South Africa is about a year away, and Duffy said this series will help shape New Zealand's preparations for it.
Read the original report: Will be awesome to play against Kohli: New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy.
