Former India bowling coach Bharat Arun revealed on Tuesday that Virat Kohli , known for his intensity and winning mentality, preferred intense net practice sessions over practice matches during his tenure as captain, often choosing to face pacers on challenging wickets from a shorter distance of 16 yards.
Arun, who worked closely with Kohli during his captaincy, described those years as the most memorable of his career.
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"Indian and world Test cricket will miss him and his persona. I have spent some of my best moments as India's bowling coach with Virat Kohli as captain," Arun told PTI.
"He never liked practice matches. He always felt the intensity was somehow missing and never really enjoyed practice games. Instead, he would want to spend more time at the nets and would always choose the spiciest wicket and get bowlers to bowl at him from 16 yards - or take throw downs from 16 yards. The fact is - he always needed a challenge. That's what got him going," Arun explained.
Quiz: Who's that IPL player?
Arun highlighted a crucial moment before the 2018 Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, with the series tied at 1-1 against Australia.
"Virat had just scored a fantastic hundred at Perth but we did not win that match. Going into Melbourne, it was Virat who literally changed the dressing room mindset. He made everyone believe that we could do it and went about his business as leader in a manner unrivalled," Arun recalled.
India went on to win that Test match and secured their first-ever series victory on Australian soil.
Kohli concluded his Test career with impressive statistics, accumulating 9,230 runs in 123 Tests at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries.
His captaincy record stands as the best among Indian skippers, with 40 victories in 68 Test matches.
"He respected the format more than anything else and will be missed," Arun stated.
Arun, who worked closely with Kohli during his captaincy, described those years as the most memorable of his career.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
"Indian and world Test cricket will miss him and his persona. I have spent some of my best moments as India's bowling coach with Virat Kohli as captain," Arun told PTI.
"He never liked practice matches. He always felt the intensity was somehow missing and never really enjoyed practice games. Instead, he would want to spend more time at the nets and would always choose the spiciest wicket and get bowlers to bowl at him from 16 yards - or take throw downs from 16 yards. The fact is - he always needed a challenge. That's what got him going," Arun explained.
Quiz: Who's that IPL player?
Arun highlighted a crucial moment before the 2018 Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, with the series tied at 1-1 against Australia.
"Virat had just scored a fantastic hundred at Perth but we did not win that match. Going into Melbourne, it was Virat who literally changed the dressing room mindset. He made everyone believe that we could do it and went about his business as leader in a manner unrivalled," Arun recalled.
India went on to win that Test match and secured their first-ever series victory on Australian soil.
Kohli concluded his Test career with impressive statistics, accumulating 9,230 runs in 123 Tests at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries.
His captaincy record stands as the best among Indian skippers, with 40 victories in 68 Test matches.
"He respected the format more than anything else and will be missed," Arun stated.
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