IND vs SA: Marco Jansen Reflects On Joy And Pain Of Bowling To Virat Kohli, Says 'Annoying But Fun At Same Time'

India vs South Africa 1st ODI: South Africa all-rounder Marco Jansen expressed a mix of emotions after a duel with batting mogul Virat Kohli, admitting that bowling to the Indian star is a simultaneously enjoyable and exasperating affair.

Kohli turned back the clock with his vintage form as the star batter slammed a match-winning century, a brilliant 135 off 120 deliveries, featuring 11 fours and seven sixes.

Jansen, who first bowled to Kohli as a 17-year-old net bowler during India's 2017-18 tour of South Africa, said the challenge of bowling to one of the modern greats remains both frustrating and enjoyable. The South African pacer reminisced about watching the Indian star on television during his early days.

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“It’s nice to watch him play. Growing up watching him on TV, to actually bowling to him now — it’s annoying but it’s fun at the same time. He drives well, he pulls well, cuts well, plays with his pads well. I don’t think much has changed — he’s just batting longer and longer,” said Jansen in the post-match press conference.

Jansen couldn't help but admire Kohli's remarkable arsenal of strokes, admitting that facing him is a thrill and a test of skill,

“When you bowl to world-class players, it’s quite difficult to get them out. I always try to get a batter in his first 10 or 15 balls. That’s when they’re still getting used to the wicket. But once they’re in, and they get on a roll, it’s very difficult to stop them. Everyone here knows how to play — that’s why you go to plan B or C,” he added.

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The 6 feet 8 inches tall Proteas speedster said South Africa were not too disappointed by going 0-1 down and believed they were “doing the right things” despite India's victory.

“We didn't bowl too badly. They got early wickets, we were on the back foot, then we pulled it back. It's just about adding the good things on top of each other like we've been doing in the Test squad,” he said.