One of India’s top cricketers, Virat Kohli, has gone through lean form, especially in Test cricket. In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Virat Kohli managed just 190 runs from nine innings, putting his prospects for international cricket into question. Kohli, known for his aggressive front-foot play, has also struggled with deliveries on and outside the off-stump, particularly in his most recent outings. To address these issues and regain his rhythm, Kohli has turned to his former India batting coach, Sanjay Bangar, for a specialized training session.
Kohli’s Return to Domestic Cricket
Kohli will play the last league match of the Ranji Trophy for Delhi against Railways at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, starting January 30, after the BCCI instructed all centrally contracted players to play domestic cricket. This will be Kohli’s first game in domestic cricket after more than 12 years, and he will look to regain his form in the longer format.
Intensive Training with Sanjay Bangar
Before making his Ranji Trophy return, Kohli sought Bangar’s aid in fine-tuning his skills. The duo was at a coaching centre outside Mumbai. He arranged for Kohli a session where Bangar would get him comfortable with balls that were pitching back of length. A student of technique himself, Bangar was perfecting Kohli for playing deliveries pitched back of length. The thought was to make Kohli hit more square of the wicket, which is something that Kohli hasn’t done a lot of of late. Kohli is an orthodox front-foot player, but has been failing on deliveries that pitch outside off stump and do not offer him a easy drive.
Training with Throwdowns
During the session, Bangar used throwdowns to simulate rising deliveries aimed at testing Kohli’s backfoot response. The setup included a portable cement slab placed behind the bowler’s length to ensure the delivery would rise steeply. The purpose was clear: to allow Kohli to practice playing shots like the square cut or square drive, vital components of any batter’s repertoire when facing deliveries on the backfoot.
Kohli’s Past Success with Bangar
The connection Kohli has shared with Bangar has been a huge factor in the success of the batter over his peak years. Between 2014 and 2019, Kohli was at his best, scoring most of his 80 international centuries. Bangar’s technical advice during that period helped him improve his game, especially against difficult deliveries. Success in their collaboration is highlighted when Kohli spoke after the 2019 World Cup said he had gained much from the technical input with Bangar.
Delhi Preparations for Ranji Trophy
Delhi is going to prepare itself for an interesting match where great cricket stalwarts are all set to tackle each other on the field. At least 10,000 spectators are expected to attend, with two stands being opened for the public. Entry will be free, maintaining a long-standing tradition for Delhi’s home games at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground. The excitement surrounding Kohli’s return to the Ranji Trophy is palpable, with fans eager to see the former Indian captain in action once again.
Kohli will return to the domestic cricket grounds not just in a quest for regaining his form but as a preparatory exercise ahead of his more significant international responsibilities. Kohli will face the Railways during the Ranji Trophy and test his game back to fitness again, preparing to regain confidence with time to set himself in for India’s future international matches.