The childhood coach of former India captain Virat Kohli, Rajkumar Sharma has recently revealed the conversation he had with him ahead of India’s upcoming second Test against Bangladesh as well.
During a discussion on India News Sports on Monday, December 19, Sharma added that Virat Kohli seemed quite relaxed and happy as well when they had a chat recently. He also shared that Kohli has been working very hard on his fitness and game as he prepares for the second Test.
He also added that Kohli has done quite well recently, sharing his stunning performances at the Asia Cup 2022 as well as the T20 World Cup 2022. He also added that Kohli will play a major role in India’s upcoming home Test series against Australia as well.
He again said: “He [Virat Kohli] is in good form. He is working hard on his fitness and is preparing well. I’ve spoken to him and he is very happy and in a positive frame of mind. He is quite relaxed, which is very good because his form is going to be key in the series against Australia.”With the kind of form he’s shown at the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup, I feel he will be very handy for India against Australia.”
The veteran also mentioned that Virat Kohli is aware that he is getting out to spin bowlers and he has been practising in the nets to overcome the weakness as well.
‘He knows very well where he is going wrong’ – Rajkumar Sharma On Virat Kohli
He added: “He has gotten out a lot of times on the back foot to spinners. He wants to overcome that and knows very well where he is going wrong. It’s good to see a player like him trying to improve his game instead of sitting in the hotel. The youngsters in the team should see how a senior is toiling it out in the nets.”
On the other hand, Team India captain Rohit Sharma didn’t feature in the opening Test against Bangladesh. He is set to miss the second one as well after failing to recover from his finger injury, which he sustained during the second ODI against Bangladesh earlier this month as well. While speaking about the same, Rajkumar Sharma added that Rohit would have gotten some match practice if he was fit for the second Test as well and it would have helped him for the home series against Australia as well.
He added: “It would have been good had he [Rohit Sharma] been there for the second Test. He would have had some match practice ahead of the Australia series because the pitches in Bangladesh are quite similar to what we have in India.”
However, the second and final Test between India and Bangladesh will take place at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka from Thursday, December 22. India currently lead the series 1-0 after having won the first contest. Their next red-ball series will be a four-match home Test series against Australia, starting on February 9, 2023, and will be part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship as well.
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