“He was awesome to me”: Jacob Duffy excited to face Virat Kohli in India vs New Zealand ODIs

Jacob Duffy Eager to Face Virat Kohli in India–New Zealand ODI Series

New Zealand fast bowler Jacob Duffy is relishing the chance to challenge Virat Kohli in the upcoming ODI series against India. The pair have already shared a dressing room at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), where Duffy played alongside the former India captain during IPL 2026. That experience, he says, has made their next meeting on the field more compelling.

Duffy has been part of New Zealand’s squad for the five-match T20I series in India, where his performances have included both a difficult outing and a strong recovery. After conceding 44 runs in two overs during the third T20I in Wellington, he responded with figures of 4/23 in the fourth match in Auckland, helping New Zealand secure an 87-run victory. With the ODI series approaching, the quick bowler now has another high-profile challenge in view: bowling to one of the game’s most accomplished batters.

‘He Was Awesome to Me’: Duffy on Meeting Kohli

Speaking to the media in Auckland on Sunday, Duffy described Kohli as welcoming and approachable despite his extraordinary status in Indian cricket. The New Zealander said he had seen Kohli in the gym during the tour and appreciated how warmly the star batter treated overseas players at RCB.

“I got to see him yesterday,” Duffy said. “He was in the gym, obviously, so running into him there was cool, but he was awesome to me.”

Duffy acknowledged that Kohli is more than a celebrated cricketer to many supporters in India, noting the scale of his influence and popularity. Yet, in the RCB dressing room, he found him down-to-earth and welcoming. That personal connection, Duffy suggested, adds an extra dimension to the prospect of facing him in international cricket.

“For such a religious figure, I guess you almost say, in India—he’s obviously a megastar over there—for him to be so down-to-earth and welcome all us overseas guys in RCB was pretty cool,” Duffy said. “I’m very appreciative of him for that. It’ll be awesome to play against him now that I’ve shared a changing room with him as well.”

Net Sessions Offered Valuable Cricket Insights

The two players also spent considerable time working against each other in RCB practice sessions. Duffy said Kohli was often the first batter in the nets while he was among the first bowlers, giving them repeated opportunities to test skills and discuss the finer points of batting and bowling.

For a fast bowler preparing to face Kohli in an ODI, those sessions offered more than a memorable IPL experience. They provided a close-up view of the batter’s preparation, discipline and response to different deliveries. Duffy was particularly struck by Kohli’s work ethic, describing him as someone who consistently puts in the effort required to prepare thoroughly.

The pair also exchanged thoughts about conditions and tactics. Duffy said Kohli discussed how pitches in India can vary and how a batter may adapt to different surfaces. They spoke about the lines and lengths that can be effective on particular wickets, as well as how a bowler might adjust to those conditions.

That knowledge could prove useful as Duffy plans for the ODI contest. At the same time, the familiarity works both ways: Kohli has seen Duffy bowl in the nets and may have a clearer idea of his pace and approach. The tactical prediction, therefore, is that their prior practice could make the contest more finely balanced, rather than giving either player an obvious advantage.

Kohli’s ODI Form Adds to the Challenge

Kohli enters the series with an impressive record in the format. According to the figures provided, he has scored 552 runs in nine ODI innings across nine matches this year, averaging 69.00 at a strike rate of 117.94. His returns include two centuries and three half-centuries, with an unbeaten 139 as his highest score.

That top score came during India’s opening match against the West Indies, when Kohli struck 139 not out from 88 balls to help his side chase a target of 296. He also finished the three-match series against the West Indies with 168 runs, reinforcing his reputation as a batter capable of controlling a chase while still scoring at a brisk rate.

Kohli’s broader ODI record underlines why opponents place such emphasis on planning for him. He is the format’s second-highest run-scorer in history, with 15,109 runs at an average of 58.78. His career tally includes 55 centuries and 79 half-centuries, while his highest ODI score is 183.

Those numbers do not guarantee what will happen in the upcoming series, but they explain why every spell against Kohli is likely to demand precision. Duffy will need to balance discipline with variation, while avoiding the loose deliveries that an experienced batter can quickly turn into scoring opportunities. Kohli, meanwhile, will be looking to use his knowledge of Duffy’s bowling to find a way through the New Zealand attack.

India and New Zealand Set for Auckland ODI Opener

The first ODI between India and New Zealand is scheduled to be played at Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday, November 4. The series will give both teams an opportunity to assess their combinations and build momentum, with conditions and squad availability likely to shape selection decisions.

India have selected two split squads for the series, with Test players unavailable for the final two matches. That arrangement could create opportunities for other members of the squad to take on larger roles and may influence how India manage their bowling resources across the fixtures.

For Duffy, the opening match offers a particularly personal storyline: a chance to bowl to a player he has already faced repeatedly in practice, but now in the pressure of an international contest. His respect for Kohli is clear, yet the New Zealander will be aiming to turn those net-session lessons into a competitive plan. Whether that preparation can unsettle one of ODI cricket’s most reliable run-scorers will be one of the series’ intriguing matchups.