New Zealand fast bowler Jacob Duffy expressed admiration for Virat Kohli’s humility and dedication during their time together at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Duffy noted that despite Kohli’s status as a prominent figure in Indian cricket, he remained approachable and down-to-earth. Their interactions occurred during RCB’s successful Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign earlier this year.

Duffy recalled a recent encounter with Kohli at the gym, describing it as a positive experience. He stated, “I got to see him yesterday. He was in the gym, obviously, so running into him there was cool, but he was awesome to me.” This sentiment underscores Kohli’s ability to connect with teammates, regardless of their backgrounds.

According to Duffy, Kohli made a concerted effort to ensure that international players felt welcomed within the team environment. He remarked, “For such a religious figure, I guess you could almost say, in India – he’s obviously a megastar over there – for him to be so down-to-earth and welcome all of us overseas guys at RCB was pretty cool.” Duffy expressed gratitude for Kohli’s approachability.

Upcoming ODI Series Between India and New Zealand

India and New Zealand are scheduled to compete in a five-match One Day International (ODI) series, commencing on November 4 in Auckland. Duffy is eager to face Kohli in this series, having shared the dressing room with him previously. He remarked, “It’ll be awesome to play against him now that I’ve shared a dressing room with him as well.” This anticipation adds an exciting dimension to their upcoming encounters.

Duffy noted that he had bowled frequently to Kohli during net sessions, which provided both players with a deeper understanding of each other’s playing styles. He stated, “He’s got a great work ethic. I bowled a lot to him in the nets because he was always the first batter and I was always the first bowler.” This experience has fostered a mutual respect between the two athletes.

After facing challenges in the second and third T20Is against India, Duffy rebounded with a strong performance in the fourth match, claiming four wickets in a victory by 87 runs. This resurgence highlights his ability to adapt and perform under pressure.

Focus on ODI Cricket and Future Aspirations

Duffy, who is part of New Zealand’s ODI squad, expressed his enjoyment of the unique challenges that 50-over cricket presents. He stated, “Personally, I quite like ODI cricket. What I enjoy is that with the new ball you get the chance to hit hard lengths and exploit any swing on offer. Then, later in the innings, you get a completely different challenge at the death.” This versatility is crucial for his development as a bowler.

With the 2027 ODI World Cup set to take place in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, Duffy acknowledged the significance of the upcoming series for New Zealand’s preparations. He emphasised, “We’ve also got the World Cup around this time next year in South Africa. That’s pretty high on the priority list, I think.” The series will serve as a platform for players to showcase their skills ahead of this major tournament.

Duffy reflected on his aspirations, stating, “Growing up watching the 2015 and 2019 World Cups, those were the pinnacle of the game for me. Those are the major events I dreamed of playing in.” He recognised the importance of the matches leading up to the World Cup as opportunities to strengthen his case for selection in the squad.

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