"3 good net sessions in UK with Ryan ten Doeschate" - Dinesh Karthik reveals Virat Kohli's preparation for IND vs BAN 2024 series
Dinesh Karthik recently shared Virat Kohli's training regime ahead of the bilateral Test series between India and Bangladesh. Karthik's comments came after the culmination of the first Test between both teams in Chennai.
Karthik interacted with Harsha Bhogle on Cricbuzz Chatter about Kohli's failure against spin in recent years. The 35-year-old has scored only 499 runs at an average of around 28 against spinners in Asia since 2021.
In the second innings of the first Test, Kohli was trapped LBW by Mehidy Hasan Miraz for 17. The dismissal continued his poor string of runs against spinners in Asia.
On being asked about Kohli's lackluster show against spinners, Karthik gave a few reasons. He thinks the cricketers are now playing much more white-ball cricket, and are working less on their defense. Karthik feels as an Indian cricketer, they mostly focus on getting better against pacers, who would be bowling at them on most occasions.
Furthermore, Dinesh Karthik also disclosed Virat Kohli's preparation ahead of the bilateral Test series. As per him, Kohli underwent intense net sessions with newly-appointed assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate in the United Kingdom.
"He did have three good net sessions in the UK with Ryan ten Doeschate. So it's not like he's not been completely batting," Karthik said. [4:30 onwards]
Kohli flew straight from London to Chennai for the first Test, while the rest of the team members reached the city together.
How has Virat Kohli fared against spinners in Tests?
As per ESPNcricinfo, Virat Kohli has faced over 6,650 balls from spinners in Test cricket. The star batter has amassed 3,766 runs against the tweakers at an exceptional average of around 58. Moreover, out of 140 innings, Kohli has been dismissed 65 times by the spinners.
When talked about his record against spin in India, Kohli has garnered over 2,400 runs at an average of 56. However, the spinners have gotten the better of him on 43 out of 74 occasions, which could also be due to assistance from the pitch.
Nevertheless, Virat Kohli holds an overall average of 48.74 in 114 Tests, scoring over 8,800 runs, including 29 centuries. He stands fourth on the list of highest run-scorers for India in Tests.