IndiaThe focus has increasingly turned to the upcoming three-match ODI series England After enduring a tough phase in the shortest format. After a 0-2 defeat in the T20 series against ireland And after an unbeaten 3-0 defeat against England in the ongoing five-match T20 series, the Men in Blue are looking for a fresh start in the 50-over format. with senior stars Virat Kohli And Rohit Sharma ready to return under the leadership of Shubman GillFormer batting coach of India Sanjay Bangar has shared an interesting story about Kohli’s extraordinary preparation to master the English conditions.
Bangar’s revelation provides a rare insight into the tireless work ethic that has defined Kohli’s career and how the great batsman turned one of the biggest challenges of his international journey into one of his greatest successes.
Sanjay Bangar recalls Kohli’s intense training after 2014 disappointment
But I am saying The Great Indian Cricket Show On Doordarshan, Bangar reflected on Kohli’s determination to overcome the struggles he experienced during India’s 2014 tour of England. That series proved to be one of the toughest phases of Kohli’s career, as he repeatedly found himself out to the moving ball. According to Bangar, Kohli made significant changes to his preparation before returning to England during the 2017–18 period. The focus was simple but demanding – learning to play the ball swinging laterally and improving my technique against seam movement.
“When you go to England, the whole game depends on two things: how well you counter the swing, and how long you can play with the ball,” Bangar explained.
He said Kohli was determined to erase the memories of 2014 by putting in countless hours of focused practice ahead of the tour.
Mumbai practice session recreated English conditions
Bangar also revealed how India’s support staff made remarkable efforts to replicate English playing conditions during training camps in Mumbai. The former batting coach revealed that practice sessions often begin before sunrise to take advantage of the morning dew, which helps the bowlers generate movements similar to the batsmen in England.
“Our routine was brutal; we would be down to the Mumbai ground by 6:00 or 6:30 in the morning to chase the early dew. We wanted to start as early as possible so that we could replicate the English conditions, make use of the heavy morning atmosphere and the natural moisture on the open pitch.” Bangar was added.
The preparations did not stop here. Bangar revealed that whenever the sun reduced the humidity on the pitch, the coaching staff deliberately added water to the surface to keep the conditions challenging.
“If the sun comes out and the moisture on the wicket starts to go down, we’ll literally put extra water on the surface to stop the ball from moving around.” He remembered.
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Return of experienced stars, India wants ODI revival
With the fifth T20 match no longer important, India’s focus is on the ODI series, which begins in Birmingham on Tuesday. Kohli and Rohit are expected to strengthen the batting unit after sitting out the T20Is, while Gill will continue to lead the side. Kohli recently trained with Bangar in Mumbai before leaving for England, which is an indication of his intention to take the field. His experience in English conditions, coupled with Rohit’s presence at the top of the order, will be crucial as India look to bounce back from a disappointing white-ball campaign and restore confidence in the 50-over format.
Bangar’s memories underline the dedication behind Kohli’s success and highlight the meticulous preparation that has long set him apart from many of his contemporaries.