New Zealand fast bowler Jacob Duffy has expressed his enthusiasm at the prospect of squaring off against former Royal Challengers Bengaluru teammate Virat Kohli when the Black Caps begin their upcoming ODI series against India in Auckland. Duffy spent time sharing a dressing room with the Indian batting superstar during the Indian Premier League season and noted that he was deeply impressed by Kohli’s down-to-earth demeanor despite his legendary status in the sport. The paceman revealed that the duo spent considerable time in the nets facing each other and discussing technical nuances regarding different pitch conditions and bowling lengths.
Building Toward the World Cup
Duffy highlighted the significance of the upcoming 50-over matches as teams begin shaping their core squads ahead of next year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in Southern Africa. Having experienced a mixed run during the recent T20I fixtures—conceding runs in Wellington before claiming a stellar four-wicket haul in Auckland—the fast bowler is eager to transition his focus back to the longer white-ball format where he can utilize the swinging ball early in the innings.
- Jacob Duffy took a match-winning four-wicket haul in the fourth T20I against India in Auckland.
- The fast bowler spent time sharing a dressing room with Virat Kohli during their stint together in the IPL.
- Duffy and Kohli frequently faced each other in net practice sessions, discussing bowling lines and pitch adaptations.
- The upcoming ODI series serves as an important stepping stone toward the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.
Net Sessions and Tactical Insights
Reflecting on his interactions with the seasoned Indian batter, Duffy explained that the net sessions provided valuable tactical insights that could prove beneficial during the upcoming international contests. With New Zealand and India set to lock horns in the opening ODI clash, Duffy’s familiarity with bowling to Kohli could play a crucial role in how the visitors manage the star batsman during the middle and powerplay overs.
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