Virat Kohli’s fierce competitive nature was on full display during India’s first fielding session at Perth’s Optus Stadium on Monday ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, which begins on Friday, November 22 at the same venue.
The incident unfolded during a unique drill organized by the Indian cricket team’s fielding coach, T. Dilip, with an aim to improve team bonding. In particular, this drill is designed to practice relay pitching technique, which helps foster coordination among fielders and injects a sense of healthy competition.
Virat Kohli demands every effort from players during fielding practice in Perth
In this fielding session, the players stood in different fielding positions, with the aim of playing accurate shots to the stumps or the wicketkeeper. The fielding coach had already announced that the first player to take the throw would win a point, creating a lively rivalry between the players.
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As the drill intensified, one of Virat Kohli’s teammates suggested taking it “easy” during India’s first fielding session at the Optus Stadium, apparently asking to ease the physical strain. However, the former Indian captain, known for his high standards and relentless drive, did not agree with the suggestion.
And even Kohli silenced his teammate with his harsh comments. In a brief exchange captured by the BCCI and shared on its official website on Wednesday, Virat Kohli retorted: “Kyu karein? Arre maaro udhar” (Why should we? Throw it more towards them, insisting on maintaining the intensity and precision throughout fielding). session, when a player requested “thoda easy rakh lo” (keep it a little easy).
AT Dilip comes up with unique field practice for Team India
This moment highlighted Kohli’s unwavering commitment to excellence and his refusal to settle for anything less than full effort, urging Indian players to push themselves beyond their comfort zones in preparation for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 .
Meanwhile, India’s practice session was divided into two parts to improve players’ coordination instead of traditional long-shot drills. The drill began with a fielder throwing the ball from the boundary to a nearby fielder, who then quickly picked it up and aimed at the target.
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Indian fielding coach T Dilip initially called for fast bowlers to participate as they often stay deep and possess strong bowling arms. Later, the rest of the players joined in. Ravichandran Ashwin and Virat Kohli especially stood out, displaying their sharp fielding skills and impressing Dilip with their precise shots that hit the target.
The players have really stepped up the intensity: T Dilip
Dilip said in the BCCI video: “The drill is very simple. Whoever throws first will get a point. What we wanted to do today was get everyone together and be closer to the game in terms of what we wanted.
“That’s why today’s team drill was more about recovering where a defender on the boundary throws the ball to the infielder. So instead of one long throw, we wanted to have two flat throws. We put that into practice so that the players know if they should stand to the left or to the right so that they are in a suitable position and not waste time in turn.”
He signed off by saying: “So the players on the edge are also aware that another person is waiting for them to be able to throw the ball into their hands with a single bounce. Today, after the session, you can see that I am very happy.
“The players have really stepped up the intensity. So now I have a feel for the team and how they work. That’s why I always prepare a little bit of competition at the beginning, so that after the warm-up they can start having fun, laughing and hanging out.”
Intensity and objective 🎯 game 🔛 point 🙌
Fielding coach T Dilip describes #TeamIndiaField exercise in Perth 👌👌 – By @RajalArora
LOOK 🎥🔽 #AUSWIND
-BCCI (@BCCI) November 20, 2024