“A Religious Figure”: Jacob Duffy Hails Virat Kohli’s Down-to-Earth Persona
The camaraderie within the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) camp continues to impress, with New Zealand seamer Jacob Duffy recently offering a glowing tribute to Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli. Speaking to the media as the Indian contingent arrived in New Zealand, Duffy revealed his admiration for the star, noting that Kohli’s stature in India transcends sports.
Duffy, who shares the RCB dressing room with Kohli, admitted he was initially awestruck by the superstar’s presence. Describing their first encounter in the gym, the Kiwi pacer highlighted how accessible Kohli remained despite his immense global fame.
A “Megastar” with Grounded Values
“I got to see him yesterday in the gym. It was a cool moment, and he was absolutely awesome to me,” Duffy remarked. “Considering he is essentially a religious figure in Indian cricket—a total megastar—his ability to remain so down-to-earth is impressive. He has been incredibly welcoming to all the overseas players in the RCB setup, and I am truly appreciative of that gesture.”
Duffy, who has spent time bowling to Kohli in the nets during training, noted that the Indian legend’s reputation for having a legendary work ethic is well-earned. “I’ve spent a lot of time bowling to him because he is always the first batter ready, and I usually take the mantle as the first bowler. It’s going to be a unique challenge to shift from sharing a changing room to competing against him on the field,” he added.
The Final Frontier: Kohli’s 2027 World Cup Goal
The praise for Kohli comes at a time when the veteran batter has turned his focus toward his ultimate swansong in the 50-over format. In a candid interview with broadcaster JioStar, Kohli confirmed that the 2027 ODI World Cup, set to be hosted by South Africa and Zimbabwe, will be his final appearance in the tournament for India.
Reflecting on his motivation, Kohli expressed his singular intent to finish his World Cup journey on a high note. “For me, it’s the final World Cup I’m going to play for India. That is my driving force—to leave everything I have out on the field,” Kohli stated. “The goal is to win the tournament, and I am prepared to do whatever it takes to achieve that.”
Maintaining Intensity on the Global Stage
Kohli, who currently sits second on the all-time ODI run-scorer list with 15,109 runs, remains one of the most vital pillars of the Indian side. Having tasted glory in 2011 and endured the heartbreak of a final loss in 2023, the 2027 edition will mark his fifth appearance in the tournament.
Speaking on the physical and mental demands of the modern ODI World Cup, Kohli emphasized the sheer intensity required to succeed. “The 50-over World Cup carries a weight that is greater than anything else,” he explained. “You are effectively playing ten games at a T20 level of intensity. It’s like playing two-and-a-half T20 matches in a single day. Sustaining that level of pressure for ten consecutive games in foreign conditions takes a massive toll on you, but that is the challenge we are ready for.”
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