Kohli Focused on Strong Comeback After Early Blow
Virat Kohli is set to put his eight-ball duck against Australia behind him and focus on getting back to form. Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has backed Kohli to trust his natural game instead of making drastic technical changes.
Kohli’s comeback to international cricket after a four-month break began on a rough note. In Perth, he faced seven dot balls before Mitchell Starc tempted him outside off. Kohli nicked the ball to point, where Cooper Connolly pulled off a diving catch, ending his innings for a duck.
‘He Will Try to Bring That Vintage Virat to the Ground’
“Whatever time I have spent with him, he knows how to play in one way only, with passion and aggression. He will back himself. There will be a lot of discussions about him playing deliveries outside the off-stump. He will go back and visualise. He will meditate and come into his zone,” Nayar said on Star Sports.
“He will try to get back the thought process of the old vintage Virat Kohli. He will try to get that mindset. He will try to play with freedom. The result is not in your hands. He will pay attention to the process. Whatever he has been known for, he will try to bring that Virat to the ground,” Nayar elaborated.
Strong Opening Partnership Could Ease Pressure
Nayar also spoke about how a solid start from Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill can help ease the pressure on Kohli. He acknowledged that Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will keep challenging Kohli around the off-stump channel.
“I would want him to win, but I always believe that you don’t prepare for failure but for success. Whomever you ask, they will say that when Virat comes, the attempt will be to bowl back of the length outside off-stump, with short balls in between. Virat and the opposition know that,” Nayar said.
“It’s about execution and handling pressure. It’s about the start you get. If Virat comes to bat after Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have scored 70 runs in the first 10 overs, the case is different. If he comes at the start, the case is different,” Nayar observed.
All Eyes on Kohli in Adelaide ODI
India will look to bounce back in the second ODI in Adelaide on Thursday after a tough loss in Perth. With the series on the line, Virat Kohli will aim to recapture his rhythm and remind everyone why he thrives in pressure situations.
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