Key points
- Virat Kohli and Arshdeep Singh engaged in a competitive spell during India’s nets session in Mount Maunganui on November 12, ahead of the fourth ODI against New Zealand.
- The Times of India reported that Arshdeep dismissed Kohli during their roughly 20-minute duel, prompting a visibly frustrated reaction from the batter.
- Gurnoor Brar and Mohammed Siraj were also among the fast bowlers Kohli faced during the training session.
- New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert praised India’s pace unit, highlighting the different skills of Arshdeep Singh, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi.
- India entered the fourth ODI with a 2-0 lead in the five-match series after the third match was washed out.
- Seifert said New Zealand had struggled to score freely against India’s disciplined bowling in the first two ODIs, in which the hosts were dismissed for 185 and 134.
Virat Kohli brought his familiar match-day intensity to India’s training session in Mount Maunganui, engaging in a lively duel with left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh ahead of the fourth ODI against New Zealand. The session, held on Thursday, November 12, featured competitive exchanges, animated banter and a spell in which Arshdeep managed to dismiss the senior batter, according to an on-ground report by The Times of India.
The training ground contest came against the backdrop of India’s 2-0 lead in the five-match series. It also coincided with New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert publicly praising the discipline and variety of India’s young pace attack, which had restricted the hosts to 185 and 134 in the first two matches.
Kohli and Arshdeep turn practice into a contest
Kohli arrived at the covered nets area with plenty of energy and faced a group that included Arshdeep, Gurnoor Brar and Mohammed Siraj. The Times of India’s report from Mount Maunganui said Kohli spoke to the bowlers in Punjabi, questioned aspects of the fielding setup and offered feedback on their lengths.
Arshdeep’s contest with Kohli became the standout episode of the session. The pair went at it for close to 20 minutes, with the left-arm seamer eventually cleaning up the batter. Kohli reacted with visible frustration and continued to engage with the bowler when he returned to face him.
The report described the exchanges as competitive but playful. Arshdeep carried on the banter after his follow-through, while Kohli responded with animated appeals and a joking review gesture when the bowler appealed against him. The interaction was part of an intense training session rather than a match-day confrontation.
Gurnoor Brar and Kuldeep Yadav also involved
Gurnoor Brar and Mohammed Siraj were among the fast bowlers Kohli faced during the session. After his exchanges with Arshdeep, Kohli moved across to the nets where Axar Patel, Naman Dhir and Kuldeep Yadav were bowling.
Kuldeep also had a moment to celebrate when he beat Kohli and sent the ball back onto the stumps. Kohli played down that dismissal with a remark, but the sequence underlined the competitive tone of the practice session. The veteran batter also shared his experience of facing a sharp, rising delivery from Jofra Archer in the IPL, using it to discuss the importance of bowling lengths and pitch assessment with the Indian quicks.
The session offered a glimpse of the preparation behind India’s strong start to the New Zealand tour. Kohli faced pace, spin and throwdowns, while maintaining the intensity of a match environment. The on-ground report also noted his interactions with head coach Gautam Gambhir and stand-in captain Shreyas Iyer.
Seifert praises India’s pace combination
On the New Zealand side, Tim Seifert acknowledged the challenge posed by India’s bowlers. Speaking ahead of the fourth ODI, the wicketkeeper-batter said the attack worked effectively as a unit despite the bowlers having different styles.
Seifert singled out the value of having a left-arm option in Arshdeep and credited the group for maintaining disciplined lines on challenging surfaces. India dismissed New Zealand for 185 in the first ODI and 134 in the second, with the third match washed out. The comments were carried in a PTI report published by The Week on November 12.
The New Zealand batter also said India’s relatively less experienced bowlers had adapted well to conditions. His assessment included Arshdeep, Brar, Anshul Kamboj and Auqib Nabi, whose varied skill sets had helped India keep the home side under pressure.
Series context ahead of the fourth ODI
India entered the fourth match with a 2-0 advantage. The opening ODI in Auckland ended in a five-wicket win for India under the DLS method, while the second match in Wellington was decided by four runs under the same method. The third ODI was abandoned because of rain.
The fourth ODI at Mount Maunganui also came with changes to both sides as players moved into preparations for the upcoming Test series. India were without regular captain Shubman Gill and wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul, with Shreyas Iyer leading the side. New Zealand also made personnel changes as several players joined their Test preparations.
For Kohli, the lively net session was a reminder of the competitive edge he continues to bring to training. For Arshdeep and the other young bowlers, the exchanges offered a demanding practice challenge against one of the game’s most experienced batters. Seifert’s comments, meanwhile, showed that New Zealand had recognised the collective discipline of the Indian attack as a major factor in the series so far.
What to watch next
The fourth ODI provides the next test of India’s bowling combination and New Zealand’s ability to respond to it. Seifert’s assessment suggests the hosts are looking beyond individual match-ups and focusing on how to counter a varied attack as a unit. Kohli’s work in the nets, meanwhile, highlighted the preparation and intensity behind India’s bid to maintain control of the series.
Frequently asked questions
What happened between Virat Kohli and Arshdeep Singh in India’s practice session?
Kohli and Arshdeep engaged in a competitive spell during India’s nets session in Mount Maunganui on November 12. The Times of India reported that Arshdeep dismissed Kohli during their roughly 20-minute duel, after which the two continued exchanging playful remarks.
Where did Virat Kohli and Arshdeep Singh’s net-session duel take place?
The exchange took place at India’s training facility in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, on the eve of the fourth ODI. Kohli also faced Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj and several spinners during the session, according to the on-ground report.
Which Indian bowlers did Tim Seifert praise before the fourth ODI?
Tim Seifert praised India’s pace attack as a group and referred to Arshdeep Singh, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi. He said their different styles complemented one another and that they had maintained disciplined lines on challenging surfaces.
What did Tim Seifert say about India’s bowling attack?
Seifert said India’s bowlers worked well as a unit and brought different qualities to the attack. He also credited them for adapting to New Zealand conditions and for not offering much room during the first two ODIs, in which New Zealand were dismissed for 185 and 134.
What was India’s position in the ODI series before the fourth match?
India led the five-match series 2-0 before the fourth ODI at Mount Maunganui. They won the first match by five wickets under the DLS method, the second by four runs under DLS, and the third match was washed out.
Did Kohli’s exchange with Arshdeep happen during an international match?
No. The reported exchange took place during an India training session ahead of the fourth ODI against New Zealand. It was described as a competitive practice contest with playful banter, not an on-field confrontation during the match itself.