South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has expressed his admiration for Virat Kohli, considering him the most challenging batter to bowl to in top-level cricket. Rabada’s praise came just ahead of his team, Punjab Kings, facing Royal Challengers Bangalore, led by Kohli, in an upcoming game at the enchanting HPCA stadium in Dharamshala.
This statement came in Rabada’s recent interview on the Willow Talk Podcast, where he lauded Kohli’s batting prowess. Their rivalry extends beyond IPL 2024, reaching back to a Test series in December-January when India toured South Africa. In the first Test at Centurion, Rabada dismissed Kohli for 38 runs.
In the second Test, although India emerged victorious, Rabada again managed to send Kohli back to the pavilion for 46 runs. This history sets the stage for another intense encounter between the two cricketing giants.
Rabada’s admiration for Kohli’s tenacity and all-around skills reflects Kohli’s exceptional form in the ongoing Indian Premier League season. Kohli has been in sublime touch, amassing 542 runs from 11 matches with a remarkable strike rate of 148 and an average of 67.75. His consistency is evident from the four half-centuries and one century he has scored so far, placing him at the top of the Orange Cap race.
Kagiso Rabada said: “It’s extremely difficult bowl to Virat Kohli. Because his willingness to come out to the Top is amazing. He has everything in his game. His hunger for runs is amazing, his fitness, his defense, he has power game as well.”Â
As Punjab Kings prepare to take on Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rabada’s acknowledgement of Kohli’s determination to dominate underscores the anticipation surrounding their clash. The historical statistics favour Punjab, who have secured 17 victories in their head-to-head encounters against Bangalore 15 wins since the inception of the IPL in 2008.
Notably, in their sole meeting at Dharamshala, Punjab emerged victorious, defeating Bangalore by 111 runs in 2011. Tonight’s match at the picturesque HPCA stadium promises to be a spectacle, as fans eagerly anticipate another chapter in the Rabada-Kohli rivalry. With Kohli’s exceptional form and Rabada’s formidable bowling skills, cricket enthusiasts can expect a thrilling contest between bat and ball.
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