Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar recently revealed the extraordinary lengths Virat Kohli went to prepare for challenging English cricket conditions. Bangar disclosed that Kohli's training included deliberately watering practice pitches in Mumbai to simulate the swing and seam movement found in England. This rigorous preparation helped Kohli overcome his previous struggles and achieve significant success during the 2018 tour.
Recreating English Conditions
Bangar, speaking on "The Great Indian Cricket Show" on Doordarshan, detailed the "brutal" training routine designed to mimic English playing conditions. Practice sessions in Mumbai often began between 6:00 and 6:30 AM to take advantage of the early morning dew and heavy atmosphere on uncovered pitches. This natural moisture helped bowlers generate movement similar to what batsmen face in England.[yardbarker+14]
The coaching staff, including Bangar, took these simulations a step further. If the morning sun began to dry out the pitch and reduce the moisture, they would intervene. "If the sun came out and the moisture on the wicket started dropping, we would literally pour extra water onto the surface just to keep the ball snaking around," Bangar recalled. This ensured that Kohli continuously faced a moving ball, forcing him to refine his technique and learn to play the ball later, a crucial skill for countering swing and seam. This dedication to creating challenging environments underscores the meticulous planning behind Kohli's success.[yardbarker+7]
Overcoming the 2014 Challenge
The intense preparation was a direct response to Kohli's disappointing performance during India's 2014 tour of England. That series proved to be one of the toughest phases of his career, where he managed only 134 runs across 10 innings, repeatedly dismissed by the moving ball. Critics questioned his ability to perform in English conditions. However, instead of being deterred, Kohli decided to make significant changes to his approach.[mykhel+5]
Bangar emphasized that Kohli was determined to erase the memories of 2014. He dedicated countless hours to focused practice before returning to England during the 2017-18 period. The former batting coach highlighted that success in England depends on two key factors: effectively countering swing and playing the ball as late as possible. Kohli committed himself to mastering these aspects, embracing the demanding sessions repeatedly in pursuit of technical perfection against the swinging ball.[yardbarker+9]
Impact on Performance
The painstaking simulations paid off significantly during India's 2018 tour of England. Kohli arrived in England a transformed batsman, silencing his critics with a remarkable display of skill and determination. He finished the five-Test series as the highest run-scorer, accumulating an impressive 593 runs at an average of 59.30. His performance included two centuries and three half-centuries, demonstrating consistent dominance over the English bowling attack.[hindustantimes+3]
Bangar believes these detailed training methods were the "bedrock of that success". Kohli's ability to neutralise the English bowling effectively buried the past struggles of 2014. Furthermore, Bangar noted that several other core batsmen in the Indian team also benefited from these specialized training sessions. He stated that because three or four of India's key batsmen fine-tuned their skills through these exact simulations, the team achieved significant success in matches in England.[mykhel+3]
This revelation comes as India's young batting lineup has recently struggled in seam-friendly conditions during their ongoing T20I series against Ireland and England. Virat Kohli, along with Rohit Sharma, is expected to return for the upcoming ODI series, with Kohli having recently trained with Bangar in Mumbai before departing for England. His past meticulous preparation serves as a powerful reminder of his relentless work ethic and dedication to mastering the game's toughest challenges.[timesofindia+4]
