Former India batting coach Abhishek Nayar has expressed confidence in Virat Kohli’s ability to return to form after a disappointing start in the ODI series against Australia.
In the first match in Perth, Kohli made his first international appearance after the Champions Trophy final in March. He was dismissed for a duck by Mitchell Starc. Nayar believes Kohli can regain momentum in the upcoming match at the Adelaide Oval.
“Whatever time I have spent with him, he knows how to play in one way only, with passion and aggression. He will back himself,” Nayar told Star Sports. He highlighted Kohli’s fighting spirit despite the long break from international cricket.
Nayar also talked about Kohli’s struggles with deliveries outside the off stump. “There will be a lot of discussionabout him playing deliveries outside off. He will go back and visualise. He will meditate and come into his zone,” Nayar said.
The former coach also explained how India’s top-order can help Kohli. “If Virat comes to bat after Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have scored 70 runs in the first 10 overs, the case is different. If he comes at the start, the case is different. It’s about execution and handling pressure,” Nayar said.
Kohli’s performance will be important for India if they want to level the series. The second ODI will take place at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday (October 23).
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