Haris Rauf made his Pakistan debut in January 2020.
Speaking on Geo News show Hasna Mana Hai, Rauf recently recalled his first interaction with Kohli, revealing that the former India skipper had told him back then that “you will be playing for Pakistan in six months”.
As it turned out, Rauf, climbed up the ladder rapidly and ended up making his Pakistan debut in January 2020.
“And I played for Pakistan in 8-9 months,” Haris Rauf stated.
In the show, the fast bowler also took Kohli’s name when asked to pick the batter whose wicket he would cherish the most.
“I cherish all my wickets, but if I have to pick one, then it has to be Virat Kohli.”
Haris Rauf also opened up on his love for eggs, saying he used to eat 24 eggs a day.
“I eat 24 eggs a day. Aquib Javed (former Pakistan bowler and a coach now) had given me the diet plan: 8 eggs for breakfast, 8 for lunch and 8 for dinner. When I had gone to the cricket academy for the first time, the room had crates of egg piled up. I felt as if I had come to some poultry farm,” Rauf said. “I was 72 kgs then and Aquib bhai told me I need to be around 82-83 kgs, ideal for my height. I am now 82 kgs.”
Bowling to the Indian batters in the nets is something Rauf considers a landmark in his cricketing journey. He also revealed that former India coach Ravi Shastri refers to the net session whenever he interacts with him.
“Aksar unse (Ravi Shastri) mulakat hoti hai, wo kehte hai ‘yaar ek net bowler jaise tum hamare paas aye they…aur jis tarah tum world me bowling kar rahey ho tumhara ek naam hai. Jab hum tumko dekhte hai to hume kafi khushi milti hai’. To unhe sara pata hai jaise Virat bhai bhi kafi appreciate karte hai ki ek time tum net bowler bhi they.”