Kagiso Rabada terms Virat Kohli's behavior as immature: Details here
What's the story
The ICC World Cup 2019 is already underway and it seems like the mind games between teams and players have already begun. While South Africa endured a loss in the opening game of their campaign, India would start the proceedings on June 5 against the Proteas. Meanwhile, South African pacer Kagiso Rabada is not pleased with Indian skipper Virat Kohli's on-field behavior. Here's more.
'Immature' Kohli
Kohli can't take the abuse: Rabada
Rabada said that Kohli has the tendency to give it to the bowler on the field. However, when it comes to the bowler giving it back, he is unable to accept it, as Rabada termed his behavior 'immature'. "He is a phenomenal player, but he can't take the abuse. But, those things can't distract you," Kagiso Rabada was quoted as saying to ESPNCricinfo.
The incident
Kohli and Rabada involved in verbal duel during IPL 2019
An incident of verbal banter between the two happened this IPL, when Kohli and Rabada were playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals respectively. As Kohli smashed him for a boundary, there were a few exchange of words between the two. Kohli is well known for his verbal duels with opponent players, especially when he is batting.
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Something like that will not distract me: Rabada
"All it was a verbal fight. Something like that will not distract me. If anything, it is just going to wake me up to hit my areas a lot more consistently," Rabada further said, on being quizzed about how verbal-sledging affects him.
Sledging
Rabada wonders if sledging is what keeps Kohli going
Rabada also wondered if verbal-sledging is what keeps Kohli going and makes him the player he is known for. He also said that on his way back to the team hotel, he had a deep thought on what makes him so angry. "Becoming angry like that - is that what gets him to play well? I can't psyche myself to be angry," Rabada said.
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Rabada does not get affected by sledging
"In fact, for me, it just wakes me up, if anything. If somebody comes at me and says, 'I'm going to hit you. I'm going to clobber you. You are soft', it wakes me up because - it's a fight-or-flight response," Rabada concluded.