‘I told Virat aaj aapki khair nahi’: Pak pacer recalls rivalry with Kohli
NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli, a modern day great, remains a prime target on the wish list of bowlers. Over his illustrious 15-year career, the star Indian batter has engaged in numerous rivalries with bowlers.
One such rivalry Kohli has had with Pakistan pacer Junaid Khan who recalled how he fired a warning to him before dismissing him in the match.The left-arm Pakistani pacer had dismissed Kohli three times in 24 deliveries and conceded just three runs in the process.
“Dande toh bahut saare ke udaye hai magar log jo yaad karte hai wo Virat Kohli ke hai (I have taken wickets of so many batsmen but people always remember Virat Kohli’s wicket,” Junaid said on Nadir Shah’s podcast.
Pakistan last visited India for the bilateral series in 2012-2013 that included two T20Is and three ODIs. Kohli had a tough time negotiating Junaid in the ODI series.
In the first ODI in Chennai, Junaid cleaned up Kohli for a duck. Kohli again became Junaid’s victim in the second ODI at Eden Gardens as he edged it behind the wickets.
Junaid reminisces about an incident before the third match in Delhi, where he provided a warning to Kohli just before claiming his wicket.
“We have played in the U-19 World Cup, we knew each other. It was my comeback series and I was playing against India for the first time. I got Kohli in the first match and he told me it will not happen again. I got him again in the second and third match. Before the third ODI at the breakfast table, I told him ‘Viru aaj aapki khair nahi hai (Virat you will not be spared today).’ Younis Khan was also there. He said get him out again today. Younis bhai took Virat’s catch,” said Junaid.
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The discarded Pakistan bowler also lauded Kohli the way he established himself among the top batters in the world.
“Virat Kohli is still among the top five batsmen in the World. Especially in the white-ball they way he has made records and has recently broken Sachin Tendulkar‘s century record. He is a world class batsman,” said Junaid.