‘Conventional Virat Kohli wouldn’t necessarily hurt you’: Rabada sums up India star's understated match influence

Kagiso Rabada reflected on what makes Virat Kohli such a tough opponent, highlighting his ability to quietly take control of an innings and build pressure.

Updated on: Mar 21, 2026, 18:33:17 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Premier South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada lauded Virat Kohli for his ability to influence games with a measured, classical approach rather than relying solely on power. Rabada noted that Kohli’s priority has always been to guide his team into a strong position, building his innings with control and purpose.

Virat Kohli has been one of the most influential batters in world cricket for over a decade. (AFP)

The two have shared several intense contests over the years, both in international cricket and the IPL, often pushing each other in high-pressure situations. Despite those fierce on-field battles, there is a strong mutual respect between them, with both players frequently acknowledging each other’s skill and contributions to the game.

Rabada reflected on what makes Kohli such a tough opponent, highlighting his ability to quietly take control of an innings and build pressure, even without appearing overly aggressive at the crease.

“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.

Also Read - KKR’s pace crisis deepens as another Indian pacer joins Harshit Rana on sidelines ahead of IPL 2026

Meanwhile, he pinpointed David Warner as one of the most dangerous batters he faced with his ability to score runs in funny areas, which put pressure on the bowlers.

"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," he added.

“People literally analysing everything you do”: Rabada on T20 emergence

Rabada shared his views on how modern T20 conditions and evolving technology have tilted the game in favour of batters, stressing that bowlers now need added variation and unpredictability to stay effective in an era dominated by data-driven preparation.

“With 60-metre boundaries and no real bounce, skidding on - you almost have to have some sort of mystery. People are literally analysing everything you do. Batsmen get on bowling machines and just learn how to slog a length," he added.

The Proteas paceman further explained how the changing demands of T20 cricket have reduced the effectiveness of traditional seam bowling, forcing bowlers to adapt with variations and smarter skills to outthink batters.

“It kind of nullifies your traditional length bowler. You almost have to use more of your one-day skills and develop skills that are going to deceive the batter," he concluded.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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