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

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 what it is like to share a dressing room with Virat Kohli, describing the Indian batting star as both a global icon and a remarkably approachable teammate. With India and New Zealand preparing for a five-match ODI series, Duffy’s comments have added an extra layer of interest to a contest that could bring the two together on opposite sides of the field.

Kohli’s popularity extends well beyond India, and his reputation is familiar to players across international cricket. But Duffy’s admiration is based on more than the batter’s achievements. The New Zealand pacer said Kohli made visiting players feel welcome during their time together at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Duffy Recalls Meeting Kohli at the Gym

Duffy recently encountered Kohli at the gym as India’s ODI squad arrived in New Zealand. The meeting was a memorable moment for the fast bowler, who had previously spent time with the Indian star at RCB. Duffy said Kohli was friendly and down-to-earth despite the intense attention that follows him in India and around the cricketing world.

“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 told reporters. He described Kohli as a “religious figure” in India, reflecting the extraordinary devotion many supporters have for the batter. Duffy added that Kohli’s warm welcome to overseas teammates at RCB had made a strong impression on him.

The contrast between Kohli’s superstar status and his everyday manner is a familiar theme among players who have worked alongside him. For Duffy, that personal experience has helped shape his respect for Kohli—not only as a batter, but also as a teammate whose professionalism and generosity can influence a dressing room.

From RCB Teammates to Potential ODI Opponents

The upcoming ODI series presents a different kind of challenge for the pair. At RCB, Duffy had the opportunity to bowl to Kohli in training, while Kohli faced the New Zealand quick from the batter’s end. That familiarity may make their eventual on-field meetings especially compelling: each has seen the other’s methods up close, but a competitive match brings pressure and consequences that net sessions cannot replicate.

Duffy said he was looking forward to the possibility of bowling against Kohli after sharing a team environment with him. He also highlighted the Indian batter’s work ethic, recalling that Kohli was often among the first players to begin training, while Duffy was regularly among the first bowlers in the nets.

“It will be awesome to play against him now that I have sort of shared a changing room with him as well,” Duffy said. “He has got a great work ethic. Obviously, I bowled a lot to him in the nets because he was always the first batter and I was always the first bowler.”

Duffy’s Recent Form Adds to New Zealand’s Bowling Options

Duffy heads into the ODI assignment after featuring regularly in New Zealand’s T20I line-up against India. He claimed five wickets across four matches, including a four-wicket haul in Auckland in the fourth T20I. That performance underlined his ability to make an impact with the ball and offered New Zealand another reason to consider him a key part of their plans.

New Zealand Cricket has announced split squads for the five-match ODI series, with Duffy included as an important option across the group. His role could be particularly valuable against India’s experienced batting order, where control in the powerplay and the ability to create breakthroughs in the middle overs can shape the course of an innings.

Duffy also brings recent IPL experience. He represented RCB in the 2026 season and took nine wickets in six matches, stepping into a prominent role when the team was without frontline seamer Josh Hazlewood. The figures came at an economy rate of 10.95, a reminder that T20 cricket can be demanding for fast bowlers, but the experience gave Duffy further exposure to high-pressure matches and elite batters.

What to Watch in the India vs New Zealand ODI Series

The Kohli-Duffy contest is one of several match-ups that could help define the series. Kohli’s strengths include his ability to build an innings, rotate the strike and accelerate once established. Duffy, meanwhile, will look to use pace, length and movement to disrupt that rhythm. Their previous net sessions may give both players useful insight, but neither will be able to rely solely on familiarity once the ODI matches begin.

For New Zealand, the challenge will be to limit Kohli’s time at the crease and avoid allowing him to settle into a long partnership. For India, Kohli’s experience against international fast bowling remains a major asset, particularly in conditions where movement or changes of pace can test batters. The series prediction will depend on a range of factors, including conditions, team selection and performances across the full batting and bowling units—not just one individual duel.

Duffy’s praise also highlights the human side of international cricket. Players may be fierce opponents during a match, yet share respect and camaraderie through leagues such as the IPL. That connection adds context to the upcoming contest: Duffy is not facing an unfamiliar name, but a former teammate whose habits and approach he has observed at close range.

As the five-match ODI series approaches, fans will be watching to see whether that familiarity gives either player an advantage. Kohli’s stature ensures that every innings attracts attention, while Duffy’s recent performances make him a bowler worth tracking. Their transition from RCB teammates to potential rivals could become one of the most engaging storylines of the India-New Zealand series.

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