Ahead of the first ODI against Australia on Tuesday, Indian captain Virat Kohli got the better of Jasprit Bumrah during a net session.
When asked about the same at the pre-match press conference, Kohli said, Jasprit Bumrah is one of the most skillful bowlers and brings intensity to the net session. Kohli, 31, also narrated the story of a rare day in nets – where he hit a few boundaries against Bumrah without getting out.
“Well, Bumrah is playing with the team since last four years now, and this is probably the second time I have ever got out of the nets, hitting a few against him and not getting out. I’m glad that was the last ball of my net session because he ran back to his mark, but I came out. It’s fun sort of competition, he’s according to me the most skillful bowler and to play against him, he brings match intensity at the nets,” Kohli said.
“I can assure you that, he’s not shy on hitting us in the head or targeting our ribs every now and then,” he added.
Captain hit some boundaries off Bumrah's bowling in the nets today.
Hear what the Skipper has to ᩚᩚᩚᩚ🔥ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚsay about the same 😅
— BCCI (@BCCI)
The 31-year-old Delhi-born cricketer also said that India and Australia are the top two sides in the world💞 currently as far as balance is concerned, and he is very excited to take on their full-strength team.
“We along with Australia are probably the top two sides in the world as far as balance is concerned, so whether it’s relevant or irrelevant that’s for people to decide, but as players, we are excited to play Australia, a full-strength Australia in our conditions to test ourselves against the best,” Kohli said.
The cricket lovers came to know of Bumrah’s aggressive attitude in the nets after the speedster injured all-rounder Vijay Shankar with a toe-crushing yorker in the nets during the 2019 World Cup. The extent of the injury was such that Shankar was ruled out of the tournament.