Practice matches used to be a norm when teams toured other countries and wanted to acclimitise to the conditions. Many former cricketers have emphasised on the need to play practice matches but recently-retired Virat Kohli felt otherwise. Former India bowling coach Bharat Arun revealed that Kohli 'never liked practice matches' as they lacked intensity. Instead, he preferred to challenge himself in the nets by asking bowlers to bowl from 16 yards on tough pitches.
“Indian and world Test cricket will miss him and his persona. I have spent some of my best moments as India’s bowling coach with Virat Kohli as captain," Arun told PTI in an interaction.
“He never liked practice matches. He always felt the intensity was somehow missing and never really enjoyed practice games. Instead, he would want to spend more time at the nets and would always choose the spiciest wicket and get bowlers to bowl at him from 16 yards — or take throw downs from 16 yards. The fact is — he always needed a challenge. That’s what got him going," he added.
The series-changing moment on Australia tour
Arun also recalled a 'pivotal moment' during the historic Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2018-19. Kohliscored a century in vain in Perth Test and the series was 1-1 but the then captain changed the dressing room mindset with his leadership.
"Virat had just scored a fantastic hundred at Perth but we did not win that match," he said.
"Going into Melbourne, it was Virat who literally changed the dressing room mindset. He made everyone believe that we could do it and went about his business as leader in a manner unrivalled."
Arun hailed India's fourth-highest run-scorer in Tests who has 30 centuries and averages nearly 47. He is also the most successful Indian Test captain with 40 wins from 68 Tests.
"He respected the format more than anything else and will be missed," the 62-year-old concluded.
Kohli's next appearance in India jersey
The 36-year-old will now play only in the ODI format. The next time Kohli is expected to be seen in ODI jersey will be on the Bangladesh tour in August 2025. Then, he will go to Australia for a three-ODI series as well alongside Rohit Sharma who retired from Test cricket earlier this month.