Kohli and Rabada, the top two players in world cricket last year according to the International Cricket Council, had on-field words during the recent edition of the Indian Premier League.

And in an interview conducted around the time, but newly published on The Cricket Monthly, the South Africa fast bowler accused India’s superstar captain of double standards.

Who is your side’s match-winner? Sonali Dhulap profiles those who could make the difference at #CWC19 ??https://t.co/QI85m545T5

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) May 30, 2019

He said: “Virat hit me for a boundary and then he had a word. And then when you give it back to him, he gets angry.

“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.”

Rabada and Kohli are likely to renew rivalry when South Africa and India meet at the Cricket World Cup in Southampton on Wednesday.

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Despite the apparent antipathy between the two, Rabada acknowledges Kohli is worthy of all his accolades, which also include his recently-bestowed status as Wisden’s Leading Cricketer of the Year for 2018.

“Kohli undoubtedly deserves it,” he said. “He has been phenomenal. He has been a pillar for Indian cricket over the past five years. You can’t fault the guy.”