India’s fielding coach, T Dilip, revealed that Virat Kohli expressed his reluctance to field in the slip cordon. Here’s the reason behind Kohli’s decision, according to Dilip.
Virat Kohli amusingly joins in the trophy celebration for India.
Virat Kohli’s performance with the bat in the 3rd T20I against Afghanistan wasn’t as memorable as he hoped.
His ambition to be the first Indian to achieve 12000 T20 runs didn’t go as planned, facing a golden duck – his first in T20Is and 35th overall in international cricket. Despite this setback, Kohli compensated with outstanding fielding contributions, showcasing his agility and fitness at the age of 35. In the first Super over, he took a catch, prevented a probable six, and executed a crucial run-out of Gulbadin Naib. This demonstrated that, despite his age, Kohli remains as fit as a 25-year-old. He continues to challenge the younger players in his team, underscoring why he has become a global benchmark for fitness.
After India’s 3-0 victory over Afghanistan, Kohli emerged as the standout performer, clinching yet another fielding accolade. Despite already securing the customary post-match fielding medal twice in the World Cup, Kohli elevated his achievements by bagging the ‘Fielder of the Series’ award this time. Amidst the praises showered on him, India’s fielding coach T Dilip disclosed an interesting anecdote from the previous year. Dilip revealed that Kohli, not due to a lack of confidence in his skills but driven by a desire to test and push himself further, chose not to stand in the slip cordon.
“This individual, Virat, has consistently demonstrated split-second decision-making prowess. Whether it’s saving runs, executing dives, or actively participating in hotspots, your attention is invariably drawn to none other than Virat Kohli. Winning two medals in the World Cup speaks volumes. I distinctly recall in the West Indies when he expressed his preference not to stand in slips, opting for positions like short or fine-leg. He wanted to challenge the younger players and prove himself as the best in the World Cup, a challenge he undoubtedly conquered,” Dilip remarked.
Kohli brings a high level of intensity to the game. Although he missed the first T20I due to family reasons, he returned for the second game in Indore, marking his first T20I for India since November 2022. Immediately, he made an impact with the bat, scoring 29 off 16 balls with a fresh approach. Once again, Kohli demonstrated his liveliness on the field, preventing the batter from taking extra runs multiple times and making a crucial catch to dismiss Noor Ahmed. Due to Kohli’s athleticism, Dilip believes that the Indian team could have a significantly different appearance if other players can replicate even 50 percent of Virat’s prowess.
“This is the level of intensity Virat brings to the team. Not only does he perform exceptionally well, but he also serves as an inspiration to everyone. Playing alongside him is a great opportunity. I hope that the younger players can step up and emulate at least half of what he does; it would transform the entire team. Today’s winner is undoubtedly Virat Kohli,” Dilip added.
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