R Sridhar, the former fielding coach of the Indian cricket team, believes that India’s pursuit of a series victory in Australia will be challenging but not insurmountable. He expressed optimism about the team’s ability to overcome obstacles, citing their history of resilience.
“It’s not going to be easy for India, but the hope is for a hat-trick. That said, it’s not as if we haven’t crossed hurdles and overcome challenges before. So hopefully, we’re looking for an encore.”
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Sridhar, speaking on the TimesofIndia’s daily evening show Beyond the Boundary programme, highlighted Virat Kohli’s meticulous approach to preparing for major Test series in countries like Australia, England, and South Africa. He emphasised Kohli’s commitment to arriving well in advance of the first Test, typically 10 to 12 days prior, to dedicate ample time to practice.
“Generally, when Virat Kohli goes for a big series in SENA countries, he likes to go all in with his preparation before the first Test. He’ll arrive 10–12 days early and get a lot of sessions under his belt. Each session consists of 200–250 balls, with plenty of time in the middle, including match simulations and practice matches. He usually takes on the most difficult pitches available, asking bowlers to bowl on them. He’s willing to look ugly in practice so that as the tour progresses, it becomes easier.”
Sridhar elaborated on Kohli’s rigorous training regimen, noting the substantial volume of balls he faces during practice sessions, which often simulate match scenarios. Kohli’s preference, according to Sridhar, is to practise on the most challenging pitches available, pushing himself to refine his technique and adapt to demanding conditions.
According to Sridhar, Kohli is entering a new phase in his career but remains in peak physical condition. His fitness levels are well-suited to the demands of an intensive 10-day training camp.
“Virat is entering a different phase of his career, but make no mistake—his fitness is at its prime. He is well-tuned to endure the rigours of a solid 10-day training camp. He’ll work on his technique, focusing on knowing where his back foot is and ensuring his initial movements are precise. He likes to stay square with the back foot, keep his hips aligned, and target those fourth and fifth-stump deliveries. As we all know, anything on the stumps, he accesses the leg side fabulously. So it’s those fifth-stump deliveries that will challenge him.” he added.
“He’ll be practising very hard to get into a position where he knows exactly where his off-stump is because bowlers like Starc and co. won’t give him anything on his body. They’ll aim to make him feel for the ball outside the fifth or sixth stump early in his innings. I’m sure he’ll be working hard to counter that. By the time he lands in Australia, he will likely have already faced 1,000–1,500 balls in practice.” he concluded.