“Whenever I face, it’s like…”: Virat Kohli names the toughest bowler he has ever faced

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will start their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 campaign on March 22 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). In the run-up to the 18th IPL season, RCB’s ace batter Virat Kohli has revealed the most difficult bowler he has ever had to face.

“Even in the nets, we feel like we are playing a match”: Virat Kohli

Addressing the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit, Kohli identified India’s top fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, as the toughest competitor he has faced. Kohli highlighted how Bumrah has repeatedly pushed him to his limits, both in the IPL and in the nets.

“Jasprit Bumrah is the finest bowler in all three formats, and he has dismissed me a couple of times in the IPL. So, whenever I play against him, it’s like, ‘Alright, it’s going to be entertaining’ because we do not get to do that in the nets. Even in the nets, we feel like we are playing a match,” Kohli said.

He also added, “The intensity is like a real IPL match, and he knows how to get me out. I try my best not to get dismissed. Today, he is the benchmark for me when I play against him regularly. Facing him is both the most enjoyable and the toughest challenge.”

Also READ: Virat Kohli responds to speculation about his international and IPL retirement

Virat Kohli’s IPL career

Kohli has been the backbone of RCB, right from the inaugural season of IPL T20. In the years gone by, he has proved himself to be one of the greatest batsmen in the history of the tournament. Following are some of his career statistics:

Key statistics

Matches: 252
Runs: 8,004
Top Score: 113 not out
Centuries: 8 (Most centuries by a player in the history of the IPL)
Fifties: 55
Strike Rate: 131.97
Average: 38.67

Captaincy record

Matches as Captain: 143
Wins: 66
Losses: 70
Final Appearances: 1 (2016 season)
IPL Titles: 0

Best season

Kohli’s standout IPL season came in 2016 when he scored a record-breaking 973 runs, including four centuries, the highest-ever tally in a single IPL edition.

With IPL 2025 coming up, the fans can’t wait to see if Kohli will add one more exceptional page to his distinguished career. With an action-packed season looming ahead, the face-off between Kohli and Bumrah is going to be the highlight for cricket fans.