Virat Kohli Reveals the Toughest Bowlers He’s Faced Across Formats

In a candid and wide-ranging conversation, Indian cricket star Virat Kohli opened up about the bowlers who have tested him the most throughout his career in each format of the game. Known for his aggressive batting and consistent performances, Kohli didn’t hold back in identifying the challenges that pushed him to the edge.

When discussing Test cricket, Kohli singled out England’s veteran pacer James Anderson as the most difficult opponent he has faced. Reflecting on his past struggles, Kohli admitted that playing Anderson in English conditions was the toughest phase of his career. Their fierce battles, especially during India’s tours of England, have been a defining part of modern Test cricket.

In One Day Internationals, Kohli pointed to two distinct challenges: the deadly pace of Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga and the craftiness of England’s leg-spinner Adil Rashid. Malinga’s toe-crushing yorkers and deceptive slower balls made him a nightmare to face, while Rashid’s variation and control in the middle overs have posed consistent threats to top-order batsmen.

In the T20 format, Kohli named West Indies and KKR spinner Sunil Narine as the most challenging. Narine’s unorthodox action and mystery spin have troubled many batters over the years, and Kohli was no exception, acknowledging Narine’s brilliance under pressure in high-stakes matches.

Kohli also reflected on his early IPL days, giving special credit to former South African wicketkeeper-batter Mark Boucher, who played a pivotal role in his development at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Kohli shared that Boucher offered him crucial guidance without being asked, helping him recognize the areas he needed to improve to reach the next level. “He told me, ‘If I don’t see you playing for India in a few years, you’re doing a disservice to yourself,’ and that really stayed with me,” Kohli revealed.

Finally, Kohli reaffirmed his deep loyalty to RCB, the only IPL franchise he has ever played for. He expressed that the bond he shares with the team and its fans means more to him than any trophy. “The love I’ve received from RCB fans is unmatched. No silverware can compare to that,” he concluded.