News Delhi, November 4 (newsalert24x7): New Zealand speedster Jacob Duffy admitted that getting past Virat Kohli remains one of the toughest challenges in world cricket, noting that there are "not many holes in that man's game".

Duffy’s candid assessment came after Kohli unleashed a masterclass 74 off 51 balls on the eve of his 38th birthday, steering India to a commanding five-wicket victory (DLS method) in the first ODI at Eden Park to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

"He Did That to Me in the Nets in Bangalore"

Having shared the dressing room with Kohli at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) during IPL 2026, Duffy is no stranger to the maestro's range. However, witnessing it firsthand during a chase at Eden Park was another reminder of his relentless quality.

"It was a bit annoying, wasn’t it? Small targets like that... If you get a guy to come out with that kind of intent to knock it off, it can just break the chase pretty easily, and he’s a pretty good guy to do it. Quite impressive, wasn’t he? He didn’t struggle with the bounce," Duffy said at the post-match press conference.
"He got inside those hook shots, pull shots, and then he can whack you down the ground. No surprise, he’s a good player. He’s done it for a lot of years and he did that to me in the nets a lot in Bangalore. I did get some intel over there, but there’s not many holes in his game, to be fair."

Admiring Kohli’s Patience Amid Fan Frenzy

Reflecting on the sheer magnitude of attention that surrounds the Indian superstar, Duffy expressed immense respect for how Kohli and the Indian cricketers conduct themselves off the field.

  • The Travel Bubble: "We got a wee taste of it in Bangalore, following him around airports and sitting on planes with him. It’s a weird life. There’s nothing we can fathom," Duffy noted.
  • Composure Under Pressure: "What I admire—not just him, but a lot of the Indian blokes—is that they are very patient and genuinely appreciate their fans. It does get a little bit on top of you, especially as overseas players. But Virat and the local boys are the patient ones. I’ve always looked up to him for that reason."

1st ODI Snapshot & Series Outlook

Earlier in the day, India's seam battery dismantled the Black Caps for 185 in 40.2 overs after choosing to bowl first.

  • India Bowling Figures: Arshdeep Singh claimed 4 wickets, Gurnoor Brar scalped 3, and Player of the Match Anshul Kamboj bowled a miserly spell of 2/22 in his 10 overs.
  • Late Kiwi Resistance: Duffy and Blair Tickner shared a brisk 39-run stand for the 10th wicket to add respectability to the host total.
  • The Target: India made short work of the rain-revised target of 143, cruising home in 22.4 overs on the back of Kohli's boundary-laden innings.

What's Next: The five-match ODI series now moves to Wellington for the second ODI on Saturday, November 7, with the Kiwis looking to bounce back against India's clinical pace attack and batting depth.

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