"Kohli Never Mocked Me": Haris Rauf Reflects on Virat Kohli's Sixes in T20 World Cup

Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf said he's all set to face India's top batter Virat Kohli ahead of their big match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The two teams will meet on February 23 in Dubai in a highly anticipated game. Before this exciting match, Haris Rauf spoke about the rumors of a conversation he had with Virat Kohli after Kohli hit him for two famous sixes in a row during the 2022 T20 World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Kohli's unbeaten 82 in that match helped India secure an unforgettable win, and his two sixes off Rauf got a lot of praise on social media and from former cricketers. Rauf conceded that Kohli is one of the best players in the world and can deal with any bowler in the world. He further added that Kohli never taunted him for hitting the two sixes from his over.

"Never, Kohli never said a word about those sixes, and all the talk on social media is rubbish. Everyone praises Kohli for his batting and he is a world-class player. I always have fun bonding with him. With his world-class batting, Kohli poses a stiff challenge to any bowler and it's the same with me. I relish that challenge and when we play against India in Dubai come Sunday it will be a match full of challenges. The best thing about bowling to him is you learn a lot of things in that match,” Haris Rauf told Telecom Asia Sport.

Haris Rauf Set to Play in Tournament Opener Against New Zealand

Haris Rauf, who has fully recovered from a side strain, is expected to be ready to play in the tournament opener against New Zealand in Karachi on Wednesday.

"I am recovering well. I have bowled with speed in the training session, so it looks good for Wednesday. I am satisfied with myself, but it will be up to the management to decide on my inclusion," Rauf said. The pacer believes that despite having just one specialist spinner in Abrar Ahmed, Pakistan has enough spin-bowling options with Khushdil Shah and Salman Agha.