'Ye accha hua jaldi samjh gya' - Fans react as Haris Rauf recalls bowling to Virat Kohli in nets

Cricket enthusiasts find it challenging to erase from memory Virat Kohli's back-to-back sixes against Haris Rauf in the 2022 T20 World Cup showdown between India and Pakistan. The right-arm pacer recently reminisced about his time as a net bowler for the Indian camp, highlighting Kohli's remarkable intensity.

In the 2018-19 period, India embarked on a multi-format series in Australia. Rauf, currently recognized as one of the fastest seamers in world cricket, was enlisted as a net bowler. This afforded him the unique opportunity to bowl to the iconic Kohli. Rauf shared his impressions of Kohli's unwavering focus during those net sessions. The pacer emphasized that it felt akin to bowling to him in an actual match.

“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 focused and that showed how sharp his concentration was,” Rauf said in ESPNcricinfo’s documentary The Incredible Rise of Haris Rauf.

“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," the star Pakistan pacer said.

Let us look at how Twitter has reacted to this statement from the Pakistan speedster;

Virat Kohli.. Name toh suna hi hoga

— Shubham Shrivastav (@shubhshr28) October 2, 2023

Never heard these kind of words for sachin from any player. Whole world knows that Kohli is GOD of Cricket

— 𝐊𝐨𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭!𝟎𝐧_👑🚩 (@bholination) October 2, 2023

King Kohli 🔥❣️🚀

— iamsayedul (@Beingsayedul) October 2, 2023

Virat kohli is a good player 👏
Though he is from other side of border but I'm his fan

— Ghazanfar Ali (@Ghazanfar1125) October 2, 2023

He only didn't know where the bowl would swing when he used to play Aamir😉

— Saad Bin Munir (@Saad_Views) October 2, 2023

Rauf afraid of Virat 😔😔

— Utkarsh (@utkarshh_tweet) October 2, 2023

Pakistan seems very scared of India in this world cup

— Ankit Khanna (@ankit_khanna) October 2, 2023

Virat 🔥 🔥

— Naresh Tanwar 🇮🇳 (@nareshtanwar_) October 2, 2023

Dale Steyn was my inspiration: Haris Rauf

Dale Steyn stood out as one of the premier fast bowlers of his era.  Star Pakistan speedster disclosed that the South African paceman serves as his idol. Furthermore, he also said that Steyn influenced him to adopt an aggressive approach on the field.

“I used to watch Dale Steyn and I liked the way he used to show aggression on the field after picking up a wicket. He inspired me to be aggressive on the field. That’s why he is my idol,” Rauf added.

The 29-year-old speedster hails from Rawalpindi and has participated in one Test, 28 ODIs, and 62 T20Is for Pakistan to date. In these formats, he has secured one, 53, and 83 wickets, respectively. Rauf's performance is crucial for the 'Men in Green' as they aim to make a significant impact in the upcoming ODI World Cup.