The cricketing world is buzzing with anticipation as Virat Kohli prepares to face Marco Jansen in the upcoming ODI series, but few know about their humble beginnings six years ago when the South African was just an aspiring net bowler hoping to impress his idol.
From Wanderers Nets to International Arena
In January 2018, a significant but little-known encounter took place at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg that would foreshadow one of cricket's emerging rivalries. Two lanky 17-year-old twins, Marco Jansen and his brother Duan, traveled from Potchefstroom with their father Koos Jansen, filled with dreams of bowling to their cricket heroes.
The brothers, wearing identical maroon tracksuits and standing incredibly tall for their age, had barely slept the night before, imagining the moment they would bowl to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. However, their big day initially seemed destined for disappointment as India had an abundance of pace bowlers on that tour.
The Moment That Changed Everything
As the Indian batting practice wound down and players began heading to the main stadium, Marco sat dejected in the dusty dugout, the tragedy of missing his chance clearly written on his face. Just when all hope seemed lost, Kohli decided he wanted more batting practice, and the assistant coach called out for left-arm pacers.
The Jansen brothers leaped into action instantly. Marco bowled with such skill that he beat the master batsman several times, earning appreciative nods and the coveted words "well bowled" from Kohli himself. The session exhausted the teenagers but filled them with unforgettable memories.
Their father, recognizing the significance of the moment, encouraged his sons to get a picture with the Indian captain. Though initially reluctant, the brothers mustered courage and approached Kohli, with a member of the Indian support staff capturing the memorable photograph.
The Dramatic Turnaround
Marco, then just a school team player, described the experience as "a once in a lifetime opportunity" in a conversation with journalists. Little did he know how wrong that statement would prove to be.
In a remarkable turn of events, just three years later in 2021, Marco had earned his place in the South African Test team and found himself bowling to Kohli again - this time in an international match at Centurion. In a moment of theatrical coincidence, Marco dismissed Kohli on his very first ball, catching him behind with a delivery angled away by the left-arm pacer.
Since that dramatic debut encounter, the rivalry has only intensified. Marco has dismissed Kohli two more times in Test matches and once in a T20 game, though in ODIs he has bowled 11 balls to the Indian star without success.
The Stage is Set for New Chapters
As cricket fans eagerly await the ODI series, the Kohli-Jansen narrative continues to evolve. Marco has emerged as South Africa's leading new ball bowler, fresh from his outstanding performance in the Guwahati Test where he took wickets with pace and bounce on a spinner-friendly pitch and smashed 7 sixes in his 91-ball 94.
Meanwhile, Kohli faces what could be a decisive series for his international future, with Marco Jansen potentially representing his highest hurdle if he plans to continue until the 2027 World Cup. The fascinating duel between the established legend and the once-modest net bowler continues to write compelling new chapters in cricket history.
This inspiring journey serves as a powerful reminder that every acclaimed wicket-taker was once a hopeful net bowler, dreaming of the day they would share the field with their heroes as equals.
