Fans react to Kagiso Rabada’s ‘immature’ Virat Kohli remark

It’s still some time before India take the field for their first match of World Cup 2019. Virat Kohli’s men will take on South Africa in their opener at Southampton on June 5 and for the Proteas, it will be the third game. However, the build-up has already started gaining momentum for the big game and it seems South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has decided to indulge in a mind game by targeting Indian captain Virat Kohli.

The targeting though has some kind of history. Kohli and Rabada had a few verbal exchanges during a game in the recent Indian Premier League after the former hit the young pacer for a boundary. Kohli is known to give it back to anybody that takes the first step towards him and Rabada found it “immature”. According to the 24-year-old, he doesn’t get Kohli for the latter gets angry when one gives him back his own medicine.

“I don’t get the guy. Maybe he does it because it gets him going, but that comes across as very immature for me. He is a phenomenal player but he can’t take the abuse. But those things can’t distract you,” Rabada was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo. The pacer though added that sledging makes him perform even better as it wakes him up.

South Africa look to a comeback after getting thrashed by England

Rabada’s ploy of targeting Kohli ahead of the big World Cup clash is not too unpredictable. South Africa was thrashed by hosts England by 104 runs in their first match at the Kennington Oval on Thursday and would now have to bounce back strongly. Batting first, England scored 311 for 8 in 50 overs and then bowled the Proteas out for 207.

Rabada though took the prized wickets of Joe Root and Chris Woakes, he went for some runs (66 in 10) in his first-ever World Cup match. On Sunday, South Africa play Bangladesh in their second match.

The Twitterati though was not impressed with the “immature” remark of Rabada, although he had won a lot of Indian fans for his magnificent performance in the IPL this year. Rabada was the top wicket-taker in the tournament for a long time but eventually lost the rank to Imran Tahir by missing the business end of the tournament because of injury.

Here are some reactions of the Twitterati to Rabada’s remark on Kohli

i can’t wait for Kohli vs Rabada #CWC19

— Ritik Gupta (@gupta_rix) June 1, 2019

Rabada Playing with Fire after SA lost to England ????
King Kohli show incoming

— Romil (@RomilGala) June 1, 2019

I don’t care what Kohli said to Ash in IPL. They are teammates. But IMO , Rabada should be the last guy to talk about Virat Kohli’s aggression for obvious reasons ????

— Rishabh (@ArreYaaaar) June 1, 2019

Dear Kagiso Rabada, 5 june ko virat kohli ipl ki bachi hui kasar bhi poori kar dega. @imVkohli #INDvSA #SAvIND #CWC19 #CWC2019 #CricketKaCrown #CricbuzzLIVE #CricketWorldCup2019

— Ayush Rungta (@Ayushrungta22) June 1, 2019

Kohli vs Rabada ????????????

5th June Can’tttt Wait pic.twitter.com/Wazaf55YlL

— Rahul???????? (@Rahul__Tweet) June 1, 2019

Rabada will have to pay badly for this statement… These mind games make him strong ????????????

— Layega toh kohli hi✌???? (@riya9990) June 1, 2019

don’t worry kohli will smash you once again

— Abhilash ???? (@abhiemi0344) June 1, 2019

Mind games started…..

— Naveen (@Naveen06094720) June 1, 2019

And what does abusing make you? Mature?#KagisoRabada #WorldCup2019 #Rabada#Kohli

— Mayank (@2807maverick) June 1, 2019

Rabada ko IPL nhi khelna hai lagta hai ????????

— Amritam (@amritam_s) June 1, 2019

Rabada ko IPL nhi khelna hai lagta hai ????????

— Amritam (@amritam_s) June 1, 2019