IPL 2025: Not James Anderson! Virat Kohli reveals the toughest bowler he’s ever faced

RCB veteran Virat Kohli has faced numerous world-class bowlers over the course of his career both in international cricket and in the IPL. However, there is one bowler who has been the "toughest challenge" for Kohli himself.

The bowler is none other than India's bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who has grown into a sensational cricketer over the last few years. Virat Kohli spoke about facing Bumrah in the IPL and revealed what makes him difficult to face as a batter.

Kohli also spoke about the intensity with which he faces Bumrah in the Team India nets and during an IPL game. The 36-year-old also admitted the fact that Bumrah has had a fair amount of success against him in the IPL and it's enjoyable facing him.

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Virat Kohli names Jasprit Bumrah as his "toughest challenge"

While speaking during RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit, Virat Kohli was asked about the toughest bowler he has ever faced. The legendary batter picked his own India teammate Jasprit Bumrah as the one who has troubled him the most.

Kohli had no hesitation in saying Bumrah's name and labeled him as the best bowler in the world across formats. He revealed the moments when the two of them faced each other in the nets and called the match-up a high-intensity one.

"No doubt about the fact that Jasprit (Bumrah) is the best bowler in the world across all the formats and he has got me out a few times in the IPL. I've had success against him in the IPL. So, whenever I face him, it's like okay, it's going to be fun because we don't get to do that in the nets," said Kohli.

Virat Kohli has scored 140 runs off 95 balls against Jasprit Bumrah in the IPL at an average of 28 and an impressive strike rate of 147.36. Bumrah has got Kohli out five times so far. Surprisingly, Kohli was also Bumrah's maiden IPL wicket.

How is it facing Jasprit Bumrah in the nets?

Further speaking in the event, Kohli spoke about facing Bumrah in the nets. The RCB batter feels that Bumrah bowls with the same intensity in the nets and is always looking to get him out. He called facing him an enjoyable and the toughest challenge.

"I mean, even in the nets, it's like playing a match. The intensity is like we play a match in the IPL. So, every ball is like I want to take him for runs and he wants to get me out and I try not to get out to him," Kohli observed.

"So, you can sense it (that) he is at match intensity. Today, he probably the marker that I keep when I play against him in the nets regularly. But I would say he is the most enjoyable and the toughest challenge," he added.

"𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙄 𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙝𝙞𝙢, 𝙞𝙩'𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚, '𝙊𝙠𝙖𝙮, 𝙞𝙩'𝙨 𝙜𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙖 𝙗𝙚 𝙛𝙪𝙣.'" 🗣

Ever wondered who’s the toughest bowler Virat’s ever faced? 🤔 Catch him spill the tea, at the 𝗥𝗖𝗕 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝗯 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁… pic.twitter.com/36F8d8twN6

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) March 17, 2025

Kohli and Bumrah to face in IPL 2025

Virat Kohli will be appearing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the upcoming season of Indian Premier League where he will be key to his team's chances. He emerged as the highest run-getter of the tournament last year and played a key role in his team's progress to the playoffs.

On the other hand, Jasprit Bumrah will be seen playing for Mumbai Indians in the upcoming IPL season. However, he will join the team later in April as he will miss the first few matches due to the back injury that he suffered during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year.