Virat Kohli is preparing for a big challenge. He looked confident during practice at Chinnaswamy Stadium, his home ground with Royal Challengers Bangalore. This ground has been a familiar place for Kohli, and he seems ready to take on New Zealand ahead of the series against Australia.
Recently, Kohli has been in a unique phase of his career. He hasn’t been as dominant as he was from 2014 to 2019, but he also hasn’t struggled as much as he did between 2019 and early 2023. The lack of centuries might be on his mind, but his determination remains strong.
During practice, Kohli was fully focused. He greeted the groundsmen, got comfortable on the field, and was eager to face the bowlers. His powerful shots in the nets showed that he still has the ability to hit big. A straight drive from him even broke a chair’s leg, and his practice continued until a staff member asked him to wrap up. But Kohli wasn’t ready to stop and quickly found another spot to continue batting.
Even though Kohli’s form hasn’t been as consistent lately, he has shown flashes of his old brilliance. The upcoming matches against New Zealand could be the perfect opportunity for him to regain his rhythm before the tough series against Australia.
Critics have raised questions about his recent form, but head coach Gautam Gambhir stands by him. Gambhir believes Kohli is still hungry for success and will perform at his best. Kohli’s dedication during practice reflects that hunger, as he stayed on the field long after others had finished, continuously working on his technique.
India no longer relies on Kohli as much as before, but his performance still plays a vital role in their success. Fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see if he can find his form against New Zealand and carry that momentum into the Australia series.
