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Duffy: Facing RCB Team-mate Kohli Will Be 'Awesome'

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New Zealand fast bowler Jacob Duffy has described it as "awesome" that he will soon face his Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team-mate Virat Kohli in international cricket.

The two players are preparing for the upcoming ODI series between India and New Zealand, in which they will represent opposing national sides.

Duffy and Kohli currently play together for RCB in the Indian Premier League, one of the most competitive domestic cricket leagues in the world.

Speaking ahead of the series, Duffy referred to Kohli as a "megastar", acknowledging the Indian batter's enormous global profile.

Despite Kohli's fame, Duffy praised his humility, noting that the star does not behave as though he is superior to his team-mates at the franchise.

Duffy also highlighted Kohli's work ethic, suggesting that the senior player continues to train with great intensity despite his long list of achievements in the sport.

These qualities, Duffy implied, have left a strong impression on him during their time together at RCB.

Although the pair have shared a dressing room at franchise level, the upcoming series will see them on opposite sides, competing against each other rather than alongside one another.

This shift from team-mates to rivals is not unusual in modern cricket, where players from different countries frequently represent the same club or franchise sides before returning to national duty.

The India-New Zealand ODI series is likely to draw significant attention, partly due to the presence of high-profile players such as Kohli.

Duffy's comments reflect the mutual respect that often exists between players who compete together at club level, even as they prepare to oppose each other internationally.

No further details about the series schedule or format were included in Duffy's remarks.

Vocabulary7 words

team-mate
someone who plays on the same team as you
ODI
a type of cricket match completed in one day
megastar
an extremely famous and successful person
humility
behaving modestly, not acting superior to others
work ethic
a strong, serious attitude toward hard work
opposite sides
being on different, competing teams
franchise
a sports team owned as part of a commercial league

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Quiz

1. What is the main subject of Duffy's comments?
2. What quality did Duffy praise in Kohli besides his skill?
3. True or False: Duffy and Kohli will play for the same team in the India-New Zealand series.

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Discussion questions

  1. Why might it feel strange or exciting to play against a club team-mate in an international match?
  2. What qualities do you think make an athlete respected by their peers, beyond their skill?
  3. Do you think humility is important for very famous athletes? Why or why not?
  4. How common do you think it is for players from different countries to be team-mates at club level but rivals internationally?

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