Coulter-Nile recalls Virat Kohli in Mohali

Mumbai: Australian speedster Nathan Coulter-Nile — in his Delhi Daredevils IPL jersey — is content and composed. The bowler, who had a nightmare bowling to Virat Kohli in the ICC World Twenty20, didn’t have to face the wrath of the Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper in the ongoing season. He isn’t surprised with the Indian’s luminous act; he praised Kohli for being a clean striker and recalled how the batsman left him clueless in the World T20 encounter between India and Australia in Mohali.

Kohli snatched four fours in the 19^th over, bowled by Coulter-Nile, to take India home – a drive through point, a pull, a lofty shot over extra cover followed by his favourite cover drive.

“I wasn’t really thinking too much, I was trying to execute my plans as well as I could,” Coulter-Nile told this correspondent in an exclusive interview.

“He hit the ball every where on the ground and did it so cleanly. I am not surprised with his amazing run of form,” he added.

Kohli scored four hundreds in this IPL and is leading the race for the Orange Cup (most runs by a batsman) with 865 runs; with one more game to play in the league stage.

The Australian is also pleased to hone his skills under the supervision of former India skipper Rahul Dravid, the mentor for Delhi Daredevils this season.

“It is good to run to Rahul for ideas, not only as a cricket personality but he also happens to be one of the nicest human beings I have met. After the season is over, I would like to catch up with him and have a conversation,” said Coulter-Nile, adding: “Even Zaheer Khan is a serious captain, both have good cricketing brains.”

Coulter-Nile, also a Big Bash League cricketer, believes both the T20 competitions are more or less similar.

“One gets to learn different playing styles and different ideas come in handy. We have had few ups and downs in this IPL but the mood has been upbeat throughout,” said Coulter-Nile, who bagged two wickets (2/25) against Sunrisers Hyderabad recently.

In Delhi’s last outing against Rising Pune Supergiants, one of his deliveries sent jitters in the Australian camp. He sent compatriot George Bailey’s helmet flying. There were no injures but on-field bouncers, after the death of Phillip Hughes two years back, are sensitive to Australians.

“It was shocking, I never wanted to hit his head. When I went up to him, he had a smile on his face. It was a bit of shock because the helmet went off,” said Coulter-Nile.

Hughes died after a bouncer struck him on the neck during a Sheffield Shield match but the incident didn’t hamper his credentials as a fast bowler.

“Phil’s death was a freak accident, a sad incident, deeply regrettable. I miss him every time I think about him, but that is not going to change the way I play my cricket. One needs to move on but unfortunately for his friends and family, he is no more there,” he added.