Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli has revealed the toughest bowler he has faced in his career, naming his teammate Jasprit Bumrah as the best bowler in the world across all formats.
In a video shared by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Kohli praised Bumrah’s skills, saying, “There is no doubt that he is the best bowler in the world. He has dismissed me a few times in the IPL.”
The 31-year-old fast bowler has built a reputation as a nightmare for batters, and Kohli himself has struggled against him. Kohli first faced Bumrah during the 2013 IPL season, where he became the fast bowler’s first-ever wicket in the tournament during a match between RCB and Mumbai Indians.
While Kohli and Bumrah rarely face off in net sessions, their intense battles in the IPL have been memorable. Speaking about their rivalry, Kohli said, “Even in the nets, it feels like a real match. The intensity is the same as an IPL game. Every ball is a mental challenge.”
In their 16 IPL encounters, Kohli has scored 140 runs against Bumrah at a strike rate of 147.36, but he has also been dismissed five times.
Bumrah’s Injury and Expected Return
Currently, Bumrah is recovering from a back injury that ruled him out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He suffered a back strain during the fifth Test against Australia in Sydney and was advised five weeks of rest.
The injury has also impacted Mumbai Indians, as they could miss his services in the early IPL matches. However, the pacer is expected to rejoin the five-time champions in early April, depending on clearance from the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.
Bumrah’s recovery will be crucial for India and Mumbai Indians, as he remains one of the most dangerous fast bowlers in world cricket today.
