India has always been a nation that carries the reputation of producing talented and remarkable batsmen. It is quite fair to say that they are indeed cut above the rest of the batsmen from other countries. Despite being so good in batting approach, the batsmen always felt some difficulties in playing against fast bowlers.
But ever since D Raghavendra joined the Indian national cricket team as throwdown specialist, he has single-handedly unravelled the persisting problem. It is because of him; the batsmen have improved playing against fast bowlers over the years.
Virat Kohli credits throwdown specialist D Raghavendra
The Indian captain, like many other cricketers, has been quite active on his social media profiles as the cricket action remains at a standstill due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli reserved the highest respect for Raghu and credited him for change in approach.
Indian captain disclosed that the side’s throwdown specialist, D Raghavendra had a prominent role to play in the batsmen playing fast bowlers over time. The throwdown specialist ratchets up speeds in excess of 150-155 kmph during the practice sessions while also helping the Indian batsmen in facing the fast bowlers in recent years.
“I believe the improvement this team has shown while playing fast bowling since 2013 has been because of Raghu,” Indian captain Virat Kohli said during an Instagram Live session with Bangladesh star Tamim Iqbal.
It is to be noted that the sidearm in the cricketing equipment for a throwdown is shaped in such a way that it looks like a long spoon, with its far end designed to hold and hurl the ball at great speeds.
“He has good concepts about footwork, bat movement of players. He has improved his skills so much that from sidearm he easily hurls the balls at 155 kmph. After playing Raghu in nets, when you go into the match, you feel there is a lot of time,” Kohli added.
Under the fourth nationwide lockdown due to this deadly outbreak, the sports complexes have been granted permission to open and the BCCI are in the process of preparing route map, plans for the players to return to training. But, it would not be possible for Virat Kohli as he is based in Mumbai.
Since Mumbai is the worst-hit city with coronavirus epidemic, it is less likely that he could return to outdoor training activities at this point of time.