Kohli reveals why he doesn't hit every ball for a six
The Delhi-born has exhibited terrific form with the bat ever since India’s tour of Australia in January 2016
RCB captain Virat Kohli acknowledges the crowd after his team's 144-run win over Gujarat Lions in Bangalore, India on May 14, 2016. PHOTO: AFP
Indian batsman Virat Kohli who has been on fire with his impeccable performances recently revealed why he doesn't hit a six on every ball.
In an interview with Indian Premier League (IPL) website, the right-hand batsman said achieving ‘consistency’ and ‘respecting the sport’ were the main reasons for his unexplosive batting demeanour. “If you want to be consistent, you need to be boring with your training, your food and your batting habits,” he said.
“During the last match against Mumbai, Indians I told Daniel Vettori [Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) head coach] that I felt like I could hit every ball of the first over from Tim Southee for a six, but I stopped myself because I don’t want to disrespect the sport.”
Kohli has exhibited terrific form ever since India’s tour of Australia in January 2016. In the ongoing IPL season, the 27-year-old has already garnered 677 runs, which includes three centuries and four fifties.
Praise for record-breaking Kohli, de Villiers
However, what separates him from the rest is his admission that he's good - that he's playing so well that teams make plans for him - that they want to frustrate him and make him do something stupid.
Meanwhile, the Delhi-born just feeds off this knowledge, and prepares for whatever is thrown at him from the bowling end. “I don’t mind playing run-a-ball for the first 20-25 deliveries because I know that I can get 40-45 runs in the next 15,” he said. “Now I believe more in my ability to hit sixes or pick gaps for boundaries in the final overs,” he added.
Arise King Kohli as Gayle force loses power
Kohli further elucidated that the trick for batting well is to understand the mentality of the bowler, coupled with the conditions of the pitch. “I try to understand what the bowler is thinking. You need to get into the bowler’s head,” he said. “If there is no turn in the pitch, even if it’s a flat ball, I would go for a six straight over the bowler’s head or over covers. Otherwise, I try to stay as still as possible.”
However, India’s Test captain still showed humility when asked about fellow RCB player AB de Villiers. “The kind of shots he [de Villiers] plays, you feel embarrassed,” he said. “You feel like you can never do that. It is a pleasure to bat with him.”
In an interview with Indian Premier League (IPL) website, the right-hand batsman said achieving ‘consistency’ and ‘respecting the sport’ were the main reasons for his unexplosive batting demeanour. “If you want to be consistent, you need to be boring with your training, your food and your batting habits,” he said.
“During the last match against Mumbai, Indians I told Daniel Vettori [Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) head coach] that I felt like I could hit every ball of the first over from Tim Southee for a six, but I stopped myself because I don’t want to disrespect the sport.”
Kohli has exhibited terrific form ever since India’s tour of Australia in January 2016. In the ongoing IPL season, the 27-year-old has already garnered 677 runs, which includes three centuries and four fifties.
Praise for record-breaking Kohli, de Villiers
However, what separates him from the rest is his admission that he's good - that he's playing so well that teams make plans for him - that they want to frustrate him and make him do something stupid.
Meanwhile, the Delhi-born just feeds off this knowledge, and prepares for whatever is thrown at him from the bowling end. “I don’t mind playing run-a-ball for the first 20-25 deliveries because I know that I can get 40-45 runs in the next 15,” he said. “Now I believe more in my ability to hit sixes or pick gaps for boundaries in the final overs,” he added.
Arise King Kohli as Gayle force loses power
Kohli further elucidated that the trick for batting well is to understand the mentality of the bowler, coupled with the conditions of the pitch. “I try to understand what the bowler is thinking. You need to get into the bowler’s head,” he said. “If there is no turn in the pitch, even if it’s a flat ball, I would go for a six straight over the bowler’s head or over covers. Otherwise, I try to stay as still as possible.”
However, India’s Test captain still showed humility when asked about fellow RCB player AB de Villiers. “The kind of shots he [de Villiers] plays, you feel embarrassed,” he said. “You feel like you can never do that. It is a pleasure to bat with him.”