'Training becomes a battle' - Josh Hazlewood explains experience of bowling to Virat Kohli at the nets

Josh Hazlewood made a comeback to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) side after being roped in by the franchise for INR 12.50 crore at the IPL (Indian Premier League) 2025 mega-auction last year. The star Australian pacer recently shared his experience of bowling in the RCB nets to the legendary Virat Kohli.

Hazlewood said that Kohli's dedication and competitiveness at the nets inspire his teammates to push themselves harder. Hazlewood also stated that Kohli's aggressive intent while batting is beneficial for the team as it keeps the scoreboard ticking.

"You might show up to training feeling a bit flat, just going through the motions. But when you look down and see him 22 yards away, it really kicks you into gear. Training becomes a battle, especially in the middle. He definitely has that aura about him,” Hazlewood said in a video on RCB Bold Diaries.

“I fully respect what he's done in the game and what he's still doing now. He's one of those players who comes at you and plays his shots, which is always nice because it helps move the scoreboard along,” he added.

In international cricket, the right-arm seamer has had some fascinating contests with Kohli. He has dismissed the former India captain 11 times across formats. Hazlewood said that bowling to someone of Kohli's calibre in the nets is a great way to prepare for the matches.

“He’s a huge wicket for us in any format. He’s scored a lot of hundreds against us in all formats, so in the nets, he really pushes you. By the time you finish, you feel ready for the game,” Hazlewood noted.

Hazlewood and Kohli put on impressive performances in RCB's comfortable win against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the season opener. While the pacer bagged two wickets, Kohli slammed a fluent half-century as RCB won by seven wickets. The Rajat Patidar-led side will now face Chennai Super Kings in their second game at Chepauk on Friday, March 28.