Sanjay Bangar reveals Virat Kohli's batting transformation post-Australia tour
What's the story
Former Indian cricket team's batting coach Sanjay Bangar revealed how much Virat Kohli's batting technique has changed after a disastrous tour of Australia.
Notably, Kohli had managed just 190 runs in the five-match Test series during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
His poor performance prompted him to seek Bangar's guidance before the ongoing Champions Trophy, where he was seen practicing drills at Bangar's academy.
Here's what the former batting coach had to say about the change in Kohli's batting.
Technique refinement
Kohli's technique overhaul yields results in Champions Trophy match
Kohli's decision to fine-tune his technique under Bangar's watch paid off when India faced Pakistan in the Champions Trophy.
The 36-year-old cricketer scored his 51st ODI hundred, showcasing a new method against both pacers and spinners.
"He (Kohli) waited for the ball to come to him. He really wasn't on the front foot all the time. He was willing to cover the infield as well," Bangar told Times of India about Kohli's revised strategy.
Strategy shift
Kohli's new approach against spinners
Bangar also emphasized a major change in Kohli's approach against spinners during the Pakistan match.
He was playing more on the back foot at first but as his confidence increased, he started going forward.
"Against spin, what was good to see in the first half of his innings was that he was playing a lot off the back foot," Bangar explained.
Then once he got that confidence, he started coming forward," he further explained.
Batting adjustment
Bangar highlights Kohli's altered bat positioning
Bangar also observed a change in Kohli's bat position in the match against Pakistan.
"When Kohli was in form, his bat used to come from the second or third slip area, allowing him to play more controlled shots," he said.
This was part of Kohli's efforts to turn things around after the Australia tour, and it shows his commitment to preparation.
"He is a guy who leaves no stone unturned as far as preparation is concerned," Bangar noted.
Coach's advice
Bangar's advice to Kohli: Watch the ball like a 'hawk'
Bangar advised Kohli to focus intently on each delivery, watching the ball like a 'hawk.'
"What he did well was to watch the ball till it made contact with his bat. That's something we discussed - to watch the ball like a hawk and give more than 100% to each delivery. He is hungry for runs and going by the innings he played (against Pakistan), he can easily play for another 3-4 years in international cricket," said Bangar.
Numbers
Kohli's stellar ODI numbers at a glance
With his unbeaten knock (100 off 111 balls) against Pakistan, Kohli has now raced to 14,085 ODI runs at an impressive average of 58.20.
He also boasts a strike rate of 93.41, alongside a record 51 tons and 73 fifties across 299 ODIs.
Meanwhile, across 287 ODI innings, his best score is worth 183, which he hammered against Pakistan in 2012.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Kohli has amassed 778 runs against Pakistan at 59.84.