R Sridhar, the former India fielding coach has claimed that Virat Kohli became one of the better slip fielders for the team through practice.
India’s former fielding coach R Sridhar has claimed that Virat Kohli became one of India’s best slip fielders purely through practice and also opened up on the intensity exhibited by the star batter during training sessions.
R Sridhar Reckons Virat Kohli Became One Of India’s Best Slip Fielders With Practice
From the start of his international career, Virat Kohli has been considered to be one of the finest fielders in world cricket. The fitness levels exhibited by the 33-year-old have also been top-notch throughout his career and he continues to set the standards for the rest of his teammates in that aspect.
R Sridhar claimed that Virat Kohli became one of India’s better slip fielders through practice. The former India coach claimed that initially, he wasn’t good in that position as the star batter was too energetic.
“Virat Kohli has gone on to become one of India’s better slip fielders purely with practice. He was not a very good slip fielder initially because he was too energetic – he was a bundle of energy – and that is Kohli. Not that he is not energetic now.
“He is still very much there but he is able to know when to be calm and he has channeled his energy better. But I am telling you it’s practice,” said R Sridhar.
R Sridhar also went on to talk about Virat Kohli’s intensity during training and said that the former India captain rarely got tired by the sessions.
R Sridhar: Virat Kohli’s Intensity During Fielding Is A Template For Budding Cricketers To Follow
The former coach also said that the star batter is a template for any young cricketer to follow when it comes to fielding.
“I have had sessions with him when I have got tired, and I said ‘Virat, that’s enough’. But he would ask ‘no, are you tired? I want to catch more’. And I am like going on and on… nicking 100 of catches to him. And it’s not just a one-off day. Every series.
“There are a few days where he takes more than 100 catches on session. And the energy with which he does it is mind boggling. For me, that’s sight which I will take with me to my grave… Virat Kohli practicing.”
“And even for slip catching… hundreds and hundreds of catches. Be it Brisbane, Ahmedabad, Southampton. Wherever he is. When it comes to fielding, the intensity with which he does it is a lesson; he is a template for any young cricketer to follow.
“He wants it fast, very specific… ‘give me more to my left, to my right. More one-handed, two-handed. And if he things the ball is coming too slow, he would take a few steps forward and challenge his reaction,” said Sridhar.
Barring the few lapses here and there, Virat Kohli’s stunning reflexes and fitness have been a boon for him, especially while fielding. He has taken mind-blowing catches left, right, and centre, and although there have been occasions where he has put down sitters, Virat Kohli has been a beast and taken catches that many of his Indian teammates simply cannot.
To date, across the three international formats, Virat Kohli has managed 284 catches in his 14-year international career. The 33-year-old Virat Kohli is currently going through a rough patch with the bat. All he could manage were 76 runs during the England tour in July, while he is yet to score an international century in almost three years.
Virat Kohli’s last international ton came in November 2019 during a Test against Bangladesh. Virat Kohli will be hoping to change his fortunes with the bat when India competes in the Asia Cup 2022 which starts on the 27th of August. India plays Pakistan on 28th August.