Virat Kohli: “You have to be on your ‘A’ Game when you’re facing him or he will strike”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Virat Kohli has been up against some of the fastest and trickiest bowlers to face in international cricket, but who takes the cake as being the Indian captain’s toughest adversary?

In Tests, Kohli has been dismissed by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon and England seamer James Anderson on five different occasions.

In the 50-over format, West Indies pace bowler Ravi Rampaul has removed Kohli six times, while Sri Lanka all-rounder Thisara Perera has done it five times.

But, even though the aforementioned bowlers have troubled Kohli, the 28-year-old revealed that Pakistan left-arm seamer Mohammad Amir is the hardest bowler he has had to face while at the crease.

Amir has only dismissed Kohli once in ODI cricket, but that one occasion turned out to be huge as it came during the Champions Trophy final in June.

In the third over of that match, Kohli was given a life when he was dropped by Azhar Ali at first slip, but a dejected Amir would have the last laugh as the very next ball, Kohli got a leading edge and was caught by Shadab Khan at point for five runs.

“In the recent times, Mohammad Amir of Pakistan (is the hardest to face),” Kohli said on an Indian show with Bollywood star Aamir Khan. “He is in the top two or three bowlers in the world and one of the toughest bowlers I have played in my career.

“You have to be on your ‘A’ Game when you’re facing him or he will strike. Outstanding, a very good bowler.”