'Aapki khair nahi': Former Pakistan cricketer reveals how he got under Virat Kohli's skin

Renowned as one of the finest batsmen of the present era, Virat Kohli, the former captain of the Indian cricket team, has exhibited remarkable consistency since his international debut in 2008. Dismissing Kohli in a match is a coveted achievement for any bowler, and former Pakistani cricketer Junaid Khan is no exception to this aspiration. Junaid Khan recently revealed how he sledged Virat Kohli during a match between India and Pakistan in 2012-2013.

3 things you need to know

• Virat Kohli was the captain of the India team that won the U-19 World Cup in 2008
• Kohli earned an India call-up immediately after the successful campaign
• Since then, Kohli has been a mainstay of the Indian cricket team in all formats

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Junaid Khan on how he sledged Virat Kohli

In a recent reflection, Junaid Khan revisited his initial encounters with Virat Kohli during the 2012-13 period, disclosing how he managed to unsettle the renowned batsman. Junaid recounted dismissing Kohli in the opening ODI of their three-match series, prompting the Indian maestro to assert that such an occurrence wouldn't repeat. Undeterred, Junaid responded by informing Kohli that he wouldn't be spared in the subsequent matches. True to his words, Kohli found himself dismissed by Junaid in the following two games as well.

"We have played in the U-19 World Cup, we knew each other. It was my comeback series and I was playing against India for the first time. I got Kohli in the first match and he told me it would not happen again. I got him again in the second and third match. Before the third ODI at the breakfast table, I told him ‘Viru, aaj aapki khair nahi hai (Virat, you won’t be spared today).' Younis Khan was also there. He said to get him out again today. Younis bhai took Virat’s catch," Junaid said on the Nadir Ali Podcast.

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Virat Kohli recently featured in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, which was held in India from October 5 to November 19. Kohli finished the World Cup as the highest run-scorer and won the 'Player of the Tournament' award. Kohli will next be seen in the two-match Test series against South Africa later this month.