When teammates from franchise cricket line up on opposite sides in international cricket, the contest naturally carries added intrigue. The upcoming five-match bilateral one-day international series between India and New Zealand, scheduled to commence on November 4, will serve as a vital testing ground for both sides with an eye on next year's ODI World Cup. While Indian supporters will be keeping a close watch on the form of veteran batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, New Zealand fast bowler Jacob Duffy has provided candid insight into what it means to face the former Indian captain. Having shared the dressing room with Kohli at Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League, Duffy is now gearing up to play against him for the first time at the international level.
Reflections on Royal Challengers Bengaluru Days and Personal Humility
During the IPL 2026 campaign, Jacob Duffy spent considerable time alongside Virat Kohli in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru camp. Speaking to the media in Auckland, the venue for the opening one-day fixture, the Kiwi seamer highlighted the remarkably grounded nature of Kohli despite the extraordinary stature he commands in his home country. Duffy noted that although Kohli is revered almost like a deity and celebrated as a massive megastar in India, he remains exceptionally humble and down-to-earth.
Duffy recalled crossing paths with Kohli just a day earlier during a gym session, describing the interaction as warm and pleasant. The Kiwi pacer explained that Kohli treats people with immense respect, and his welcoming attitude toward overseas cricketers inside the RCB camp stands out. Duffy emphasized that he holds enormous admiration for Kohli because of this character, adding that after having shared a dressing room with him, stepping onto the field as an opponent will be an outstanding experience.
Practice Sessions, Intense Work Ethic, and Pitch Adjustments
Jacob Duffy also praised Virat Kohli for his legendary work ethic and dedication to preparation. Recounting their training sessions in the nets, Duffy stated that he bowled extensively to Kohli because Kohli was unfailingly the first batter into the session and Duffy was regularly the first bowler to run in. Spending extensive hours against each other in the practice nets proved to be immensely valuable, though Duffy pointed out that it also allowed Kohli to examine his bowling style up close, meaning the batter will be well prepared for the encounter.
According to Duffy, the two frequently discussed the finer details of the sport. Their conversations often revolved around the diverse nature of pitches found across India. Because certain surfaces behave quite uniquely, Kohli shared detailed insights on how lines and lengths should be altered depending on ground conditions. Kohli explained the specific adjustments he makes to his own batting technique on such surfaces, while also advising Duffy on how a pace bowler should adapt. Duffy described these nuanced technical exchanges as extremely beneficial for his development as a cricketer.
Aiming for a Spot in Next Year's World Cup Squad
With both nations treating this bilateral series as a critical foundation for next year's 50-over showcase event, Jacob Duffy outlined his personal ambitions. The fast bowler reflected on his formative years, mentioning that he grew up watching the 2015 and 2019 editions of the ODI World Cup. For him, those tournaments represent the absolute pinnacle of cricket, serving as the benchmark competitions he aspired to reach through years of hard training.
Duffy acknowledged that while the global showpiece remains a year away, matches in series like this one carry enormous weight in determining selections. His focus is firmly directed toward helping build the squad and cementing his own place in New Zealand's World Cup contingent. Expressing his enthusiasm for 50-over cricket, Duffy noted that the format allows seamers to exploit early movement with a swinging ball on a hard length, before shifting into aggressive contests during the concluding overs of an innings.
