From sharing RCB dressing room to confronting him: Jacob Duffy excited about Virat Kohli’s challenge

Jacob Duffy and Virat Kohli NEW DELHI: Jacob Duffy is looking forward to taking on Virat Kohli in the upcoming ODI series between India and New Zealand. The New Zealand fast bowler has already had a close look at the Indian batting star as he shared the dressing room with him at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) during their victorious IPL campaign earlier this year.Duffy was impressed with Kohli’s attitude and work ethic during their time together. He also spoke about how the former India captain made the overseas players feel welcome despite being one of the biggest sports stars in the country.“I got to see him yesterday. He was in the gym obviously, so it was cool to run into him there, but he was amazing for me,” Duffy said, according to Cricinfo.

“It will be amazing to play against him”

Duffy described Kohli as a “religious figure” in India but said the batter was left on the ground around his RCB teammates.“For such a religious person, you almost say, in India – he’s obviously a megastar there – for him to be so down-to-earth and welcome all of us from overseas to RCB was pretty cool, so I respect him a lot for that.“It will be amazing to play against him now that I have shared the dressing room with him as well,” he added.India and New Zealand will begin their five-match ODI series in Auckland on November 4. For Duffy, this contest will be special as he will be facing a player he has already spent a lot of time with during the IPL.

“He was always the first batter and I was always the first pitcher.

Duffy had plenty of opportunities to catch Kohli during RCB’s training sessions. He said their regular games at the net helped both players understand each other’s game.“He’s got a great work ethic. I’ve pitched to him a lot in the nets because he’s always been the first hitter and I’ve always been the first pitcher. We’ve actually spent a lot of time against each other in the nets, so that’s pretty cool. But he’s also seen me a lot from there now, so he’ll have a good preparation.”Duffy will also enter the ODI series with some confidence after bouncing back in the fourth T20I. He conceded a lot of runs in the second and third games but took four wickets in the fourth game which New Zealand won by 87 runs.

Duffy is watching the 2027 ODI World Cup

The New Zealand pacer is also looking forward to the challenge of ODI cricket. He believes the 50-over format offers a different test for bowlers compared to T20Is.“Personally, I’m quite fond of ODI cricket. What I like about it is that you get a bit of hard length at the top with a swinging ball and stuff. Then you get a bit of a strike and a giggle at the end.”With the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa looming, Duffy sees the upcoming series as an important opportunity to strengthen his bid for a place in the New Zealand squad.“We also have the World Cup this time next year in South Africa. I think that’s pretty high on the priority list.”“Growing up (watching) the 2015 World Cup and the 2019 World Cup, those are the highlights of our game for me. Those are the main events I grew up watching, aspiring to and wanting to be there.“After a year away, these games play a pretty important role. I think we’re trying to build and make a case to make this team,” he added.