Delhi Coach Credits Virat Kohli for Inspiring Young Players
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Synopsis
Virat Kohli inspires Delhi Ranji Trophy players during training, boosting motivation ahead of their match against Railways, according to coach Sarandeep Singh.
Key Takeaways
- Virat Kohli joins Delhi Ranji Trophy squad.
- First Ranji match in over a decade.
- Young players motivated by Kohli's presence.
- Training included varied batting drills.
- Delhi team struggles in Elite Group D standings.
New Delhi, Jan 28 (NationPress) India cricket sensation Virat Kohli, who recently joined the Delhi Ranji Trophy team at Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday, served as a significant source of inspiration for his younger teammates during their training session ahead of the match against Railways, stated former Indian spinner and head coach Sarandeep Singh.
Kohli is set to play his first Ranji Trophy match in over 12 years; his last appearance in domestic cricket was in November 2012. The ex-captain took part in football drills, shared light-hearted moments, and engaged in 100-metre sprints before heading to the batting nets.
With his gear on, Kohli chose a unique bat featuring a noticeably thinner blade than usual—likely a strategy to combat outside edges that led to his eight dismissals during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, where he scored only 190 runs. For around 15 minutes, he practiced against throwdowns from the pitch's center. He allocated five minutes for front-foot strokes, while the rest was focused on mastering back-of-length deliveries.
The training session showcased a blend of defensive and aggressive techniques. Although he faced some challenges outside off, he also successfully connected with numerous pulls and short-arm jabs. “The young players were really motivated while training alongside their idol Virat Kohli. This is beneficial for domestic cricket. We engaged in cricket discussions with Kohli and reviewed match strategies. It was truly a productive day,” remarked Delhi coach Sarandeep Singh to IANS.
There has been substantial pressure on Indian Test players to participate in domestic matches following dismal batting performances in Australia, where the team often struggled to surpass 150 runs in their first innings.
Currently, Delhi sits sixth in the Elite Group D standings with 14 points from six matches and has been eliminated from the knockout stages after suffering a 10-wicket loss to Saurashtra in their previous game.
The final round of Ranji Trophy group matches will conclude just four days before India's first ODI against England in Nagpur on February 6.
Kohli is included in the ODI squad for the upcoming three-match bilateral series leading up to the Champions Trophy starting February 19.
