Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik has shared an interesting insight into Virat Kohli’s preparation ahead of the two-match Test series against Bangladesh. According to Karthik, Kohli spent considerable time honing his skills in London under the guidance of India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate before joining the team in India. Kohli’s performances in the first Test in Chennai, however, were far from his usual best.
Virat Kohli managed just 6 runs in the first innings and 17 in the second, which led to speculation about his form and whether he was adequately prepared for the ongoing series. Karthik revealed this during a discussion with Harsha Bhogle on Cricbuzz, where they dissected Kohli’s recent struggles against spin bowling.
“He (Virat Kohli) didn’t come into this series out of touch. He had three good net sessions in the UK with Ryan ten Doeschate. So it’s not like he hasn’t been batting at all,” Dinesh Karthik mentioned, highlighting that Kohli was putting in the work despite being away from the team environment.
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This revelation suggests that Kohli is committed to regaining his form and has been actively seeking guidance, even while living in London with his family. Ryan ten Doeschate, who recently joined the Indian team as an assistant coach, was brought in based on a recommendation from head coach Gautam Gambhir.
The former Dutch cricketer is known for his astute understanding of the game and seems to have already made an impact by working closely with a player of Kohli’s stature. Despite these efforts, Kohli’s struggle against spinners has been evident. Over the last three years, he has averaged just 27.72 against spin, a stark contrast to his career dominance in this area.
In the Chennai Test, Kohli’s vulnerability was exposed once again. He was dismissed by Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the second innings, trapped LBW for 17. In the first innings, he was caught behind for just 6 off the bowling of Hasan Mahmud. These dismissals underline his current battle with form, especially against spin, which has been an unusual sight for fans accustomed to watching him conquer all kinds of bowling.
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As India gears up for a packed Test schedule, including home series against New Zealand and a crucial away series against Australia, Kohli’s form will be crucial. The team management, however, remains optimistic that he will bounce back soon. They believe that his dedication and skill will eventually shine through, bringing back the runs and the confidence that Kohli is known for.
