New Delhi, August 13, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Kings spinner Harpreet Brar has dismissed talk of an on-field rivalry with Virat Kohli, saying their intense exchanges during IPL matches are simply part of competitive cricket and should not be interpreted as a personal contest.
Brar, who has dismissed Kohli in the IPL, said both players are focused on performing for their respective teams and continue to have the same respect for each other off the field.
“It’s not like that. There’s nothing like a rivalry. It’s all a social media gimmick which starts there and dies there. I play for PBKS, he plays for RCB. We both want to do well for the team,” Brar told IANS in an exclusive conversation on Thursday.
The spinner said Kohli’s intensity has remained a defining feature of his game even after years at the highest level. He added that younger cricketers could learn from the former India captain’s approach.
“He has played so many matches, and he plays the same way as he did when he was 18. His aggression on the ground is still the same. We have also learnt these things from him,” Brar said.
While the competitive edge remains, Brar stressed that his admiration for Kohli has not changed.
“He is a legend of this game. Respect is the same for him on and off the field,” he said.
Brar said professional cricket leaves no room for allowing personal relationships to influence performance. A bowler’s responsibility, he added, is to take wickets or deliver good overs regardless of the batter at the crease.
“You should always have that current in you as a bowler; it doesn’t matter if it’s Virat Kohli batting in front of you or a youngster. My duty is to take his wicket or bowl a good over for my team,” he said.
Brar’s own record against Kohli has added to the narrative surrounding their encounters. The PBKS spinner has famously dismissed Kohli in a spell that also accounted for Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers.
Asked about Kohli’s intense expressions on the field, Brar said a bowler should not be intimidated.
“Someone giving a death stare should not bother a bowler,” he said.
However, Brar added that television camera angles can sometimes create a different impression of what is happening on the field. He said he had never personally seen Kohli staring directly at him.
“Our team’s captains also stare at us. That is never noticed. But Virat is a great personality. Most of the time, the camera is on him, so you can see his aggression,” Brar said.
The spinner concluded on a lighter note, pointing out that Kohli’s attention may not necessarily be directed at him when cameras capture his expressions.
“He doesn’t need to be staring at me; he could be staring at someone else too,” he said.
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