South African fast-bowling ace Kagiso Rabada recently shared his admiration for Royal Challengers Bengaluru's batting juggernaut Virat Kohli, highlighting the Indian stalwart’s ability to dominate games through a refined and 'conventional' batting style. Speaking on the Fast Bowling Cartel podcast, Rabada noted that Kohli prioritises tactical control and building an innings with clear purpose rather than relying on raw power. He described Kohli as an opponent who builds pressure quietly, while he might not appear overly aggressive at the crease, his impact is often felt suddenly when looking at the scoreboard.
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Kagiso Rabada explains Virat Kohli's hidden match impact
The two cricketers have a storied history of intense competition, having faced off frequently in both international fixtures and the IPL. Rabada reflected on these high-pressure encounters, admitting that he always felt he truly had to 'earn' Kohli's wicket. Despite their fierce on-field battles and verbal exchanges in the past, such as during the 2019 season, their relationship has evolved into one of deep mutual respect.
This respect was recently on full display during a light-hearted moment on the Willow Talk podcast, where Kohli playfully gatecrashed Rabada’s interview. The interaction underscored a friendly bond between two of the game’s greatest competitors, with Rabada acknowledging Kohli’s immense hunger for runs and elite fitness.
“He was probably the most conventional - he wouldn’t necessarily hurt you, but you’d look up at the scoreboard and he’d made an impact. When you got him out, you’d really earned his wicket," Rabada said on the Fast Bowling Cartel podcast.
If you weren’t on, he could hurt you: Rabada on David Warner
Meanwhile, Rabada identified David Warner as one of the most formidable opponents he has ever encountered on the field. He noted that Warner's unique ability to find gaps and score in unconventional areas of the ground made him particularly dangerous. According to Rabada, this unorthodox style constantly pressured bowlers, as they were forced to be exceptionally precise to avoid being punished.
"If you weren’t on, he could hurt you. He scored in funny areas. You had to be really on it to earn his wicket," Rabada added.