(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] Pakistan speedster Haris Rauf delved on his experience of bowling to India’s Virat Kohli in a net session in 2018.
Rauf was appointed as one of the net bowlers by India when they traveled to Australia for an all-format tour back in 2018-19. During the same tour, Rauf, who at that time hadn’t yet made his debut for Pakistan, got the opportunity to bowl to the then India captain Kohli in the nets.
Rauf recalled that moment when he got to bowl to one of the world’s greatest batter.
“When I was a net bowler for the Indian team and was bowling to Virat Kohli, I felt like he knew exactly where the ball was going to hit his bat. He was very focussed and that showed how sharp his concentration was,” the Pakistan fast-bowler said in ESPNcricinfo’s documentary ‘The Incredible rise of Haris Rauf’.
He further said that the feeling he got when bowling to Kohli was like he was playing an actual match against him and also acknowledged the latter’s intensity while batting even in the nets.
“Even during practice sessions in the nets, it felt like I was playing a match against him, despite being a net bowler. His remarkable control and intensity made me realise why he has such a reputation in the game,” he added.
Notably, the 29-year-old Rauf and Kohli will face each other for the first time in an ODI World Cup, which is going to start from 5th October. India will play Pakistan on the 14th of October in Ahmedabad, and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top in the battle.