Sports

Kohli credits throwdown specialists for making ‘huge difference’ in batting

Indian run machine Virat Kohli has credited the team’s throwdown trio of D Raghavendra, Nuwan Seneviratne and Dayanand Garani for bringing about a sea change in his batting. Throwdown specialists throw the ball at high speed (in the range of 140–150 kmph) with the help of a long spoon, one such cricket equipment, while training batsmen at the nets.

Kohli, while talking to young India opener Shubman Gill on ‘BCCI.TV’ after the third and final ODI against Sri Lanka here, said, “These three have given us world-class practice.” They test us like fast bowlers bowling at 145 or 150 kmph in the nets. They always try to get us out and make sure they test us regularly.

He said, “Sometimes it seems too harsh. To be honest, it has been a career difference for me… where I was when I started this kind of practice as a cricketer and where I am now. Raghavendra from Karnataka, better known as ‘Raghu’ Joined BCCI from National Cricket Academy and came first in Team India. He regularly used to practice throwdowns to legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar and former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

India roped in Sri Lankan left-armer Seneviratne in 2018 to prepare them against left-arm fast bowlers. Dayanand, a volunteer in the Kolkata Police, was with Kings XI Punjab but was linked with Team India after Raghu tested positive for COVID-19 in 2020 and has been a permanent member of the support staff since then.

Kohli said, “A lot of credit goes to these guys who made us practice regularly and their contribution has been unbelievable. You guys should remember their names and faces because these people have worked hard behind our success.’ They prepare us for all kinds of situations during the match.

India beat Sri Lanka by 317 runs in the final ODI to clinch the series 3–0, with Kohli scoring two centuries in three matches. Calling it an ideal start to the ODI World Cup year, Kohli said, “It’s been a great start. It’s been a long time since I started the year like this. Scored a hundred and then scored two hundreds in the series and I was also the player of the series.

He said, “I am just happy that I have been able to start the World Cup year like this and I know that I can continue to perform like this. When I start like this and I start feeling confident, then things usually go well. Kohli congratulated Gill for scoring his first century at home. Gill scored 116 off 97 balls. He said, “Congratulations on your maiden hundred in India. You deserved a hundred in the first match. Today also you performed brilliantly and many more hundreds will come in future at home and abroad.

Kohli said, “I really enjoyed batting with Shubman. We didn’t bat for long at times but today we had a good partnership and that helped the team as well. Scored a huge score of 390 runs. Gill said, “Getting out in the first ODI was disappointing. I was looking to do something big in that match but unfortunately could not. “He said,” I was playing well in Kolkata also but failed to convert the start into a big innings. Today it was that if I get a start, I will try to go long.

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