Ahead of India’s upcoming ODI series against West Indies, Virat Kohli sat down for a rapid-fire round with Star Sports, and the answers offered a rare, candid glimpse into how the modern great rates his teammates, rivals, and idols. Returning to national colors after a roughly two-month break following the England series in July, Kohli looked relaxed as he fired back quick, honest answers on everything from his favorite batting partner to the bowler he’d never want to face in his prime.
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Virat Kohli’s Full Rapid Fire Answers
From Rohit Sharma to MS Dhoni, Kohli’s picks lean heavily on players he has shared a dressing room with for over a decade, while also tipping his hat to fierce rivals like Dale Steyn and Andre Russell.
| Question | Kohli’s Answer |
|---|---|
| Favourite batting partner | Rohit Sharma |
| Toughest bowler faced | Jasprit Bumrah |
| Favourite opponent | Pakistan |
| Favourite cricket ground | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium |
| Best captain played under | MS Dhoni |
| Bowler he’d never want to face in his prime | Dale Steyn |
| Best fielder played with | AB de Villiers |
| T20I or ODI | ODI |
| Indian player he admires most | Shikhar Dhawan |
| ODI or Test cricket | Test cricket |
| Player who can change a match in minutes | Andre Russell |
| One word for MS Dhoni | Mastermind |
| One word for Rohit Sharma | Effortless |
A Fitting Tribute to Old Teammates
It’s no surprise that Kohli’s answers are dominated by names from India’s golden generation of white-ball cricket. His pick of Rohit Sharma as favourite batting partner reflects a partnership that has anchored India’s top order since the mid-2010s, while naming MS Dhoni as the best captain he’s played under echoes sentiments Kohli has expressed publicly on multiple occasions. His nod to AB de Villiers as the best fielder he’s played with also lines up with the two RCB legends’ well-documented on-field chemistry over the years.
On the bowling side, Kohli’s respect for Jasprit Bumrah as the toughest bowler he’s faced is consistent with how much of the current Indian dressing room, and opposition batters worldwide, rate the pacer. Meanwhile, his choice of Dale Steyn as the bowler he’d least want to face in his prime is a nod to one of the finest fast bowlers of the 2010s, a period that frequently overlapped with Kohli’s own rise to the top of world cricket.
Looking Ahead to a Final World Cup
Beyond the rapid-fire fun, Kohli also touched on his long-term goals, noting that the 2027 ODI World Cup will be his fifth and final appearance at the tournament, and that he intends to give it everything he has. With the West Indies series marking his return to competitive cricket after a short break, fans will be watching closely to see if this renewed focus translates into runs on the field. For more cricket news and interviews, check out TechnoSports’ Virat Kohli coverage.
Source: Navbharat Live
