Ranji Trophy: Kohli Prioritizes Front Foot Techniques and Footwork Against Spinners Ahead of His Return
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Synopsis
Kohli's return to the Ranji Trophy has ignited excitement as his practice sessions focus on front foot shots and footwork against spinners. With enhanced fan access and live broadcast plans, the buzz around the Delhi versus Railways match showcases Kohli's enduring star power in domestic cricket.
Key Takeaways
- Kohli's participation confirmed excitement for the match.
- DDCA ensures fan facilities like free water and clubhouse access.
- Kohli emphasizes front foot shots in practice.
- Young cricketers inspired by Kohli's interaction.
- Live broadcasts highlight Kohli's influence on cricket viewership.
New Delhi, Jan 29 (NationPress) The Ranji Trophy league match between Delhi and Railways was not part of the original broadcast schedule for television and live streaming until Virat Kohli's participation was confirmed.
His upcoming presence in Thursday's game at the Arun Jaitley Stadium has ignited a wave of excitement at the venue. By Wednesday evening, camera crews will have finalized their broadcasting arrangements within the stadium.
Moreover, the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) is providing free drinking water for fans and has opened the north and old clubhouse stands for the next four days. The opening of gates 16 and possibly number six for fans clearly illustrates the significance of Kohli's return to domestic red-ball cricket.
Kohli was the focal point during Delhi's practice session on Tuesday and continued to draw attention on Wednesday. Arriving at the stadium at 8:00 AM the day before the match, Kohli was the first of the Delhi players to kick off his nearly hour-long gym workout.
A brief friendly football match lasting about 15 minutes preceded his batting practice at the Hill B nets, where he teamed up with Delhi head coach Sarandeep Singh. Once again, Kohli started his session using a bat without a sticker, which was slimmer than his usual equipment.
Bathed in gentle sunlight, Kohli commenced his batting practice for the day by facing throwdowns from a distance of 16 yards on the practice pitch. This session featured a blend of defensive and aggressive shots, predominantly focusing on front foot strokes. He defended the ball right under his eyes while perfectly timing some pulls along the ground.
There were also drives and cuts aimed toward the square off-side, shots that are not commonly seen in his stroke play. With his regular MRF sticker bat in hand, Kohli then transitioned to the nets where fast bowlers like Navdeep Saini, Money Grewal, Sidhant Sharma, and Rahul Gahlot were in action.
In this setting, he often executed front foot shots, particularly against fuller deliveries. When facing Saini, Kohli showcased his steadiness and executed his signature flick while leaving several deliveries in the channel outside the off-stump. At times, he was outpaced by Grewal's speed and was also caught off-guard by a delivery on his pads from left-arm pacer Sidhant.
At 11:00 AM, it was Kohli's turn to switch to the nets where left-arm spinners Harsh Tyagi and Sumit Mathur, along with offspinner Sumit Sharma and a couple of net bowlers, were taking their turns. Initially, Kohli focused on handling deliveries on the back foot before returning to front foot shots.
The highlight of his nets session came when he effectively used his feet against Shivam and other net bowlers, especially while executing lofted shots with excellent timing. At one point, he was beaten by a tall left-arm spinner named Prakhar, a net bowler from Rajasthan.
By 11:15 AM, Kohli had concluded his batting practice for the day, emphasizing front foot play and footwork against spinners, contrasting with his focus on back foot play from Tuesday.
Kohli took a moment to pose for photos, first with former Indian cricketer Gursharan Singh, then with some DDCA officials. Amid laughter and reminiscing, he also autographed a picture and a t-shirt before departing with his kitbag.
Meanwhile, the excitement among young women cricketers in Delhi regarding Kohli's practice on Tuesday was evident. They eagerly recounted his inspiring words to eight-year-old Kabir Khan (son of Kohli's former teammate Shawej Khan) about exceeding expectations in the pursuit of playing for India.
Shortly thereafter, the morning chill gave way to a bright afternoon sun. The immense interest in Delhi's final league match against Railways, which will now be broadcast live on television and digitally, undeniably highlights Kohli's star power, as his return to the Ranji Trophy generates considerable buzz and anticipation among fans, regardless of the match's outcome.
