Virat Kohli Snubbed As Naveen-ul-Haq Picks Toughest Batter And Ideal Teammate

Naveen-ul-Haq and Virat Kohli (Source: AFP)

Ahead of the much-awaited India vs Afghanistan first T20I, Afghan fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq shared his thoughts on some of the biggest names in modern cricket, including Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah, during a rapid-fire interview with Sony Sports Network.

The IND vs AFG T20I series is scheduled to be played from September 13 to 17, 2026, at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium in New Delhi. Ibrahim Zadran will lead Afghanistan, while Naveen returns to the side after recovering from a stress fracture in his right shoulder.

Naveen-ul-Haq picks Rohit Sharma as toughest batter, snubs Virat Kohli

When asked about the toughest batter to bowl to, Naveen-ul-Haq named Rohit Sharma. He also spoke about cricket rules and said he would remove the free-hit rule.

The Afghan pacer also gave a surprising answer when asked about umpiring. He described umpiring as an overrated skill. When asked which Indian player he would pick for his team, Naveen chose Jasprit Bumrah. 

Naveen also said that batting is the most underrated part of his own game. He believes he can make a useful contribution with the bat, especially in the lower order.

Speaking about his experience in India, Naveen said the passionate Indian crowd is one of the best things about playing in the country.

Also Read: Ruturaj Gaikwad's Comeback For India vs West Indies ODIs Fuelled

Watch the video here: 

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“Rohit Sharma is the toughest batter to bowl to” 🗣️ Naveen-ul-Haq #Cricket #INDvAFG #RohitSharma

Sep 12, 2026, 8:11 PM

Why Did Naveen-ul-Haq Pick Rohit Sharma Ahead Of Virat Kohli?

Naveen-ul-Haq's choice of Rohit Sharma as the toughest batter to bowl to is backed by the numbers from their meetings.

In ODIs, Rohit has scored 23 runs from 15 balls against Naveen without being dismissed. That gives Rohit a strike rate of 153.3 against the Afghan pacer. He has also hit three fours and one six in those 15 deliveries.

The numbers are even stronger for Rohit in T20Is. He has scored 30 runs from just 15 balls against Naveen, again without losing his wicket. His strike rate in this format is an impressive 200.

Rohit's overall numbers against Naveen in white-ball cricket therefore give him a decisive edge over Virat Kohli. He has scored freely and, importantly, Naveen has not dismissed him in either ODIs or T20Is.

However, the IPL tells a slightly different story. Naveen has dismissed Rohit once in the IPL. Even so, Rohit has scored 19 runs from 10 balls against him, showing that he has still managed to attack the fast bowler.

Rohit Sharma vs Naveen-ul-Haq

Virat Kohli, meanwhile, has also produced some strong numbers against Naveen, particularly in T20 cricket. In the 2024 T20I meeting, Kohli scored 19 runs from 12 balls at a strike rate of 158.3 and was dismissed once.

In the IPL, Kohli scored 5 runs from two balls in 2023 and 7 from four balls in 2024, without being dismissed in either season.

Virat Kohli vs Naveen-ul-Haq

Naveen-ul-Haq picks Jasprit Bumrah as his ideal Indian teammate

Naveen was also asked which Indian player he would instantly pick as a teammate. His answer was Jasprit Bumrah.

The choice is understandable given Bumrah’s reputation as one of the most effective fast bowlers in world cricket. His ability to bowl with pace, accuracy and control makes him dangerous in all phases across formats. 

Also Read: Sanju Samson's Record vs Afghanistan As India's Opening Dilemma Intensifies For 1st T20I