Shamik Chakrabarty in Dubai
Virat Kohli hit the nets early, two hours before the scheduled start of India’s practice session on Saturday. Consequently, the whole team advanced its training schedule.
The media advisory issued by the ICC stated that the Indian team would train at the ICC Academy ground in Dubai from 1 pm local time (2.30 pm IST). However, Kohli arrived around 11 am local time, accompanied by some support staff—specifically, the throwdown specialists. His teammates followed about an hour later.
Kohli’s net session began with throwdowns before shifting his focus to playing spin. Some local net bowlers were present, but apart from those who had been informed beforehand, Kohli’s early arrival caught almost everyone off guard. It was his personal decision to have an extra session before joining team training, which he communicated to the team management. The rest of the squad arrived around 12.15 pm.
Beyond facing throwdowns and spinners, Kohli also took on the pacers in the nets. When the other players began their turns, he took a breather, resting his feet on ice packs.
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By his lofty standards, Kohli has been inconsistent of late. Even in ODIs, where he is unmatched, his last century came during the 2023 World Cup—117 against New Zealand. Since then, he has scored only two half-centuries, the latest (52) coming against England in Ahmedabad during the ODI series preceding the Champions Trophy.
In India’s Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh, Kohli managed 22 off 38 balls before falling, once again, to a leg-spinner. Certain dismissals have become a recurring pattern for him.
The marquee clash of this ICC event, India versus Pakistan, is on Sunday. Over 16 ODIs against Pakistan, Kohli has amassed 678 runs, including three hundreds, at an average of 52.15. The former India captain looks determined to avoid another slip-up.
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