Virat Kohli’s fiery 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 will kick off 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 the aim of enhancing team bonding. Notably, this drill is designed to practice the relay throw technique, helping foster coordination among fielders while injecting a sense of healthy competition.
Virat Kohli demands full effort from players during fielding practice in Perth
In this fielding session, players were standing in different fielding positions, with the goal of making accurate throws to the stumps or wicketkeeper. The fielding coach had already announced that the first fielder to make the throw would earn a point, creating a spirited rivalry among 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, seemingly asking to ease the physical strain. However, the former Indian captain, who is known for his high standards and relentless drive, disagreed with the suggestion.
And even Kohli shut his teammate up with his sharp 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 during the fielding session, when a player requested “thoda easy rakh lo” (keep it a tad easy).
T Dilip comes up with a unique fielding practice for Team India
This moment highlighted Kohli’s unyielding commitment to excellence and his refusal to settle for anything less than full effort, urging the 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 split into two parts to enhance the fielders’ coordination instead of the traditional long throw drills. The drill began with a fielder launching the ball from the boundary to a close-in fielder, who then quickly collected it and aimed for the target.
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The Indian fielding coach T Dilip initially called on the fast bowlers to take part, as they are often positioned in the deep and possess strong throwing arms. Later, the rest of the players joined in. Ravichandran Ashwin and Virat Kohli particularly stood out, showcasing their sharp fielding skills and impressing Dilip with their accurate throws that hit the mark.
The players have really put up the intensity: T Dilip
Dilip said in the BCCI video: “The drill is very simple. Whoever throws first will be getting one point. What we wanted to do today was want everyone to get together and closer to the match in terms of what we wanted.
“So that is why today’s team drill was more related to retrieving where a fielder at 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 players know whether to stand towards the left or right so that they are in a proper position and not wasting time in turn.”
He signed off by saying, “So players on the boundary are also aware that another person is waiting for it so that they can throw the ball in one bounce into the hands. Today, after the session, you can see that I am very happy.
“The players have really put up the intensity. So, by now, I get a sense of the team and how they work around. That is why I always prepare a little competition first to start with so that after the warm-up, they kick off having their fun, laughter, and getting together.”
Intensity and target 🎯 game 🔛 point 🙌
Fielding Coach T Dilip describes #TeamIndia‘s fielding drill in Perth 👌👌 – By @RajalArora
WATCH 🎥🔽 #AUSvIND
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 20, 2024
