PBKS Bowler Wants to Get the Prized Wicket of Virat Kohli in IPL 2026, Sets the Record Straight

Ben Dwarshuis also talked about excelling in high-profile tournaments like the IPL, vital for securing a successful and lasting career.

PBKS Bowler Wants to Get the Prized Wicket of Virat Kohli in IPL 2026, Sets the Record Straight

Ben Dwarshuis hopes to pick Virat Kohli's wicket in the IPL. (Image via Khel Now)

In Short
  • Ben Dwarshuis aims to dismiss Virat Kohli in IPL 2026, highlighting the challenge it presents.
  • He was the most expensive acquisition for Punjab Kings at INR 4.4 crores during the mini-auction.
  • Dwarshuis is competing for a spot in Australia's T20I setup following Mitchell Starc's retirement from the format.

Australian pacer Ben Dwarshuis, picked by Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League, has expressed a surprising desire about the player he wishes to dismiss in the tournament. The 31-year-old shared that he wants to get the prized wicket of Royal Challengers Bengaluru icon Virat Kohli. 

Ben Dwarshuis is currently part of the PBKS roster for the 2026 season, and was their most expensive acquisition at the 2026 mini-auction. He was bought alongside fellow countryman Cooper Connolly and uncapped Indian talents Praveen Dubey and Vishal Nishad. Dwarshuis was signed for INR 4.4 crore at the end of an intense three-way bidding war, including Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings. 

This is Dwarshuis’ third stint in the IPL; he was previously acquired by PBKS in 2018 for INR 1.4 crore but did not play, and later joined Delhi Capitals in 2021 as a late injury replacement for Chris Woakes. The New South Wales star comes off the back of a stunning Big Bash League season with the Sydney Sixers, where he picked up 16 wickets in 11 matches while giving runs away at an economy rate of just 7.85. 

Dwarshuis ranks as the BBL’s second highest wicket-taker of all time, with 164 scalps in 126 games. He is, however, yet to make his debut for PBKS in IPL 2026, with fellow Aussie Xavier Bartlett being picked as the overseas fast-bowling option in the two opening games. The pacer, vying for a place in the playing XI, made it clear that he would love to play against defending champions, RCB, in an interview. 

The Australian bowler also revealed that he has a list of six to seven Indian players he aims to dismiss during the season. Specifically, he hopes to take the wicket of Indian cricketing legend Virat Kohli, while acknowledging the difficulty associated with it. Unfortunately for him, the two finalists from IPL 2025 will only face each other once during the group stages on May 17, at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala.  

There are probably six or seven Indian players ​I could rattle off, but it’s tough to go past taking Virat Kohli’s wicket, whether it’s at ​home or down in Bangalore. He would certainly be one I’d be happy to take.

Ben Dwarshuis said in a recent interview (H/T: Crictracker)

Both Kohli and Dwarshuis have faced each other just once, during the semi-finals of the 2025 Champions Trophy between India and Australia. Dismissing Kohli would be tough for any bowler, given the 37-year-old veteran has been in electric form this summer. 

PBKS’ Ben Dwarshuis opens up about the challenge to secure a spot in Australia’s T20 setup

It will be an uphill task for pacer Ben Dwarshuis to secure a place in the Australian T20I setup. The selectors and team management are on the hunt for a long-term replacement for Mitchell Starc, who has retired from the shortest format of the game. 

Ben Dwarshuis
Ben Dwarshuis (Image via cricket australia)

The Australian T20I team is in shambles after a humiliating exit from the recently concluded 2026 T20 World. It is the bowling unit that has taken a hit, with both Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood sidelined at the moment.

Mitchell Starc’s T20I retirement has also opened up a space for a bowler with comparable skills in the squad. Ben Dwarshuis is being considered as a potential candidate to replace Starc in the long run.

Dwarshuis has played 15 T20Is so far, picking up 22 wickets at an average of 24.36. He most recently spoke out about his chances, suggesting that Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood’s decision to ‘sit’ behind has opened up the door for other players. He acknowledged that the competition to take up Starc’s place is fierce and stated his commitment to performing well in the format to secure his place.

Mitch [Mitchell Starc] retiring obviously opens up a spot. There’s a whole handful of guys that are trying to get into that spot. Competition’s fierce, but knowing that there is a spot available means a potential avenue there if you perform.

Ben Dwarshuis said, as per Cricket.com.au

Ben Dwarshuis does face competition from the likes of Spencer Johnson, Xavier Bartlett and Nathan Ellis. There are also a host of up and coming fast bowlers in Australia, including Mahli Beardman, Joel Davies, Jack Edwards, Will Sutherland, and Fergus O’Neill.

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