Jacob Duffy calls Virat Kohli a “religious figure” in India, praises his humility

Jacob Duffy Praises Virat Kohli Ahead of India–New Zealand ODI Series

New Zealand fast bowler Jacob Duffy has offered a personal glimpse into life alongside Virat Kohli, describing the Indian batting star as both a global icon and a remarkably approachable teammate. The comments arrive ahead of the five-match ODI series between the India National Cricket Team and the New Zealand National Cricket Team, where Duffy could soon face the batter he once shared a dressing room with at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

For Duffy, the upcoming contest carries an added layer of interest. He has bowled to Kohli in practice, watched his preparation up close and experienced the attention that follows him around the cricket world. Now, the New Zealand pacer will have the opportunity to test that familiarity in an international match—an intriguing subplot for fans following the series.

Duffy Recalls Meeting Kohli in the Gym

Duffy told reporters that he recently ran into Kohli at the gym, where the Indian star was preparing for the ODI campaign. The New Zealander said the meeting was memorable not simply because of Kohli’s fame, but because of how warmly he treated the overseas players during their time together at RCB.

“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,” Duffy said. He described Kohli as a “religious figure” in India, reflecting the extraordinary admiration the batter receives from supporters across the country. Despite that stature, Duffy said, Kohli remained down-to-earth and welcoming to his teammates.

The praise highlights a side of Kohli that is often discussed by players who have shared a team environment with him. His reputation is built on record-breaking performances and intense competitiveness, but teammates also regularly point to his discipline, professionalism and willingness to make others feel included.

RCB Experience Gives Duffy a Closer Look

Duffy’s perspective comes from more than watching Kohli from the opposition. The New Zealand quick was part of RCB’s squad in the IPL 2026 season, giving him the chance to train alongside the Indian star and observe his routines first-hand. Duffy said he frequently bowled to Kohli in the nets, with the batter often among the first to begin practice.

That shared preparation could make their ODI meeting especially compelling. Duffy knows something about Kohli’s approach at the crease, while Kohli has already faced the bowler repeatedly in training. However, net sessions and international cricket are very different tests. In a match, Duffy will need to account for the conditions, field placements and pressure of the moment—not just the batter’s technique.

Duffy also made an impression during his IPL campaign. He claimed nine wickets in six matches, although his economy rate of 10.95 reflected the demanding nature of the competition and the aggressive batting conditions. His involvement grew when RCB needed support in the pace department, including during Josh Hazlewood’s absence. The experience offered Duffy valuable exposure to high-pressure cricket and to some of the world’s most accomplished batters.

Strong T20I Form Adds to Duffy’s ODI Opportunity

Duffy enters the ODI series after featuring regularly in New Zealand’s recent five-match T20I contest against India. India won the series, despite losing the final two matches, while Duffy remained a consistent presence in the New Zealand bowling attack from the second game onward.

The 32-year-old took five wickets across four appearances, including a four-wicket haul in Auckland during the fourth T20I. That performance underlined his ability to make a decisive impact when conditions and execution align. While the shorter format places different demands on a bowler, the spell may provide Duffy with confidence as he prepares for the longer ODI format.

New Zealand Cricket has announced split squads for the five-match ODI series, with Duffy included in the plans. His role could be important as the Black Caps look to challenge a powerful Indian batting line-up. For the visitors, Kohli’s form and experience will naturally attract attention, especially in a series where every match offers an opportunity to build momentum.

What to Expect From the Kohli–Duffy Contest

Duffy said he is looking forward to playing against Kohli after having shared a changing room with him. He also praised the Indian batter’s work ethic, recalling that their repeated net sessions gave him a close-up view of how seriously Kohli approaches preparation.

“It will be awesome to play against him now that I have sort of shared a changing room with him as well. He has got a great work ethic,” Duffy said, adding that he often bowled to Kohli during training because both were among the first players to get started.

That familiarity provides an appealing storyline, but it does not guarantee an advantage for either player. Kohli’s ability to adjust to bowlers and match situations has been central to his success, while Duffy will be looking to use his pace, accuracy and variations to disrupt the batter’s rhythm. The key contest may come down to whether Duffy can find movement or maintain pressure early in an innings—and whether Kohli can turn a careful start into a scoring opportunity.

Series Prediction: Experience Meets Fresh Momentum

Any prediction for the ODI series will depend on several factors, including New Zealand’s bowling plans, India’s batting depth and the conditions at each venue. Duffy’s recent T20I performances suggest he can be a threat, while his familiarity with Kohli adds an extra tactical dimension. At the same time, Kohli’s experience in high-stakes cricket makes him one of the most difficult batters to contain for long periods.

For supporters, the series offers more than a contest between two national teams. It also brings together a fast bowler who has learned from sharing a dressing room with a superstar and a batter whose influence extends well beyond his statistics. Duffy’s admiration is clear, but once the first ball is bowled, respect will give way to competition. His challenge will be to turn what he learned in the RCB nets into a plan capable of troubling Kohli under international pressure.

Whether Duffy can make an early breakthrough or Kohli can dominate the new-ball spell will be one of the most closely watched individual matchups of the India–New Zealand ODI series. With both players familiar with each other’s strengths, their encounter promises a compelling blend of preparation, skill and competitive intensity.