NEW DELHI: Back in form with three hundreds in four innings, former captain Virat Kohli credited throwdown specialists Dayanand Garani, Nuwan Seneviratne and D Raghvendra for making Team India batters look better with world-class practice through relentless deliveries.
“In my honest opinion, all three of them have given us world-class practice every time we play. They challenge us in the nets like anyone 145 or 150 kmph pace bowlers would do in the game. They always try to get us out and make sure that they test us regularly.”
“At times, it feels very intense. For me that has been the difference in my career to be very honest. From where I was as a cricketer before I started getting this kind of practice to where I am today.”
“A lot of credit has go to these guys, who have given us practice regularly and I am sure Shubman will also feel the same. Their contribution has been unbelievable. You guys should remember their names and faces because, behind our success, a lot of effort has been put in by these guys. Thank you to all for your very, very honest efforts which have helped us,” said Kohli in a video posted on bcci.tv.
Raghavendra, referred to as Raghu in the Indian cricket circles, has been associated with the team for a long time as a throwdown specialist. Garani started as a throwdown specialist with Indian team after working with Punjab Kings while Seneviratne was roped in as a throwdown specialist in 2018 to help Indian batsmen counter left-arm fast-bowling.
Opener Shubman Gill also praised the throwdown specialists. “These three guys combined would have had 1200 to 1500 wickets very easily. They put in a lot of hard work and prepare us for all kinds of conditions we need to practice in heading into the match. These are the people who give us the confidence that we can perform at this level.”
Kohli and Gill helped themselves to classy hundreds against a hapless Sri Lankan bowling attack to help India pile up 390 for five in 50 overs in the inconsequential third ODI of the series.
Kohli broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most ODI centuries on home soil with his 21st hundred in India and remained unbeaten on 166 (110 balls, 13×4, 8×6). Gill made 116 (97 balls, 14×4, 2×6) with some exquisite strokeplay.
The two put together a 131-run stand for the second wicket off just 84 balls.
(With inputs from IANS)
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Milestone man Virat Kohli leads India to record ODI win against Sri Lanka
Show Captions
<p>Virat Kohli is looking hungrier for big runs and has started producing those with consummate ease and effortless strokeplay. </p>
<p>On Sunday, Kohli broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 20 ODI centuries on home soil and his unbeaten 166 was the 46th of his career in this format.</p>
<p>During the course of his innings, Kohli also went past Mahela Jayawardene to rise to fifth in ODI’s all-time run-scorers chart. </p>
<p>But much more than those numbers, it is the manner in which Kohli is scoring the runs that will be giving the rival bowlers sleepless nights. </p>
<p>Kohli started showing signs of returning to form in the Asia Cup last year. </p>
<p>Kohli’s match-winning unbeaten 82 against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup was a classic and he translated the T20 form that he showed in the latter half of last year into ODIs. </p>
<p>The longer format also gives Kohli time and space to pace his innings. </p>
<p>After going century-less for more than three years, Kohli has now three tons in his last four innings. </p>
<p>On Sunday, Kohli looked in ominous touch the moment he arrived at the crease. </p>
<p>Kohli started with a cracking drive through the mid-off region off just the second ball he faced. From then on there was no looking back. </p>
<p>Kohli cut, drove, and pulled the hapless bowlers in all directions. </p>
<p>At 34, Kohli is still the fittest member of this Indian team and that is helping him pinch singles and twos to supplement his brilliant stroke-making. </p>
<p>However, the biggest takeaway from Kohli’s innings was how he accelerated to perfection. </p>
<p>Kohli’s first 50 came off 48 balls and was laced with five fours. </p>
<p>Kohli increased his pace and reached the three-figure mark off 85 balls and it contained eight fours and a six. </p>
<p>Kohli pushed the pedal on the accelerator once he crossed 100 and by the time he walked back at the end of his innings, he had eight sixes and 13 fours in his 110-ball knock. </p>
<p>Kohli has amassed 12,754 runs in 268 ODIs for India, behind Sachin Tendulkar (18,426), Kumar Sangakkara (14,234), Ricky Ponting (13,704) and Sanath Jayasuriya (13,430).</p>
<p>Kohli took the score close to 400 as India smashed 116 runs in the last 10 overs with contributing 84 of those.</p>
<p>Kohli felt that it is his mindset that is helping him get those big knocks again. </p>
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