Following Virat Kohli’s recent retirement from Test cricket, former Indian bowling coach Bharat Arun has shared insights into how the former captain transformed the mindset of the Indian dressing room, particularly during the historic 2018–19 tour of Australia. Under Kohli’s leadership, India became the first Asian team to win a Test series on Australian soil.
At the Adelaide Oval, India secured a memorable win thanks to a gritty performance from Cheteshwar Pujara. However, their momentum stalled in the second Test at Perth, where, despite a brilliant century from Kohli, India suffered a loss.
In an interview with PTI, Arun said, “Virat had just scored a fantastic hundred at Perth but we did not win that match.”
He then reflected on the leadership qualities Kohli displayed ahead of the Boxing Day Test: “Going into Melbourne, it was Virat who literally changed the dressing room mindset. He made everyone believe that we could do it and went about his business as a leader in a manner unrivalled.”
“Indian and world Test cricket will miss him and his persona.” – Bharat Arun on Virat Kohli
“He respected the format more than anything else and will be missed. Indian and world Test cricket will miss him and his persona. I have spent some of my best moments as India’s bowling coach with Virat Kohli as captain,” Arun added.
He also shed light on Kohli’s unique approach to preparation and training, especially his preference for real intensity over traditional warm-ups.
“He never liked practice matches. He always felt the intensity was somehow missing and never really enjoyed practice games. Instead, he would want to spend more time at the nets and would always choose the spiciest wicket and get bowlers to bowl at him from 16 yards—or take throw downs from 16 yards. The fact is—he always needed a challenge. That’s what got him going,” Arun recalled.
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