Former RCB Teammate Picks Virat Kohli for Backyard Cricket, Explains Why

Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) all-rounder Marcus Stoinis picked Virat Kohli as the bowler for his backyard cricket team. The choice came as a surprise, considering Kohli is mainly known as one of the greatest batters.

However, Stoinis went for Kohli because his part-time bowling could make things difficult in backyard cricket. Most batters are not familiar with the Indian star’s bowling, which could work in his favour. Kohli was occasionally called upon to bowl across formats, although he has not bowled for India or RCB in recent years.

Stoinis Makes Surprising Kohli Pick

The Australian all-rounder was asked to select an Indian player from the past or present to join his backyard cricket team.

“I would go with Virat Kohli because his bowling would be awkward in backyard cricket,” Marcus Stoinis said.

Kohli has taken nine wickets for India in white-ball cricket from 439 matches. He has delivered 814 balls in total. However, he is yet to take a Test wicket despite bowling 149 deliveries.

During his 283 IPL matches for the Royal Challenge Bengaluru franchise, Kohli has taken four wickets, with his best figures being 2 for 25.

Stoinis, meanwhile, is currently playing for Southern Brave in The Hundred 2026.

Kohli’s Last Bowling Appearance for India

Kohli has not bowled for India for nearly three years. His most recent spell came during the 2023 ODI World Cup in India. Rohit Sharma handed him three overs against the Netherlands in a league match, and Kohli responded by taking a wicket while giving away only 13 runs.

His last T20I bowling appearance came in 2022, when he bowled one over against Hong Kong in the Asia Cup. In Tests, his most recent bowling stint was against New Zealand in Christchurch in 2020, where he sent down only six balls.

Kohli Eyes 2027 ODI World Cup

Kohli was last seen playing in the three-match ODI series against England. He made two fifties, but India lost the series 1-2 to the Harry Brook-led side.

The former India captain is expected to play three ODIs against the West Indies in September this year. He is aiming to feature in the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Although head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar have not confirmed his place in the squad, Kohli continues to work on his batting and fitness in the hope of staying in contention.

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