India’s former fielding coach, R Sridhar, revealed that Virat Kohli was not a very good catcher in the slips initially because of his energetic personality, but he went on to become one of the best slip fielders through practice and effort.
He said that Kohli has worked extremely hard over the years to be a fantastic fielder. The former fielding coach also recalled that the former skipper was never tired during the fielding drills.
As reported by Cricket.com, R Sridhar stated: “Virat Kohli has gone on to become one of India's better slip fielders purely with practice. He was not a very good slip fielder initially because he was too energetic - he was a bundle of energy - and that is Kohli.”
He added, “Not that he is not energetic now. He is still very much there but he is able to know when to be calm and he has channeled his energy better. But I am telling you it's practice.”
Meanwhile, Sridhar recalled a memory that he would 'take to his grave' as he said that there were instances when he would get tired but Kohli would show no signs of slowing down.
The coach recalled, “I have had sessions with him when I have got tired, and I said 'Virat, that's enough'. But he would ask 'Why, are you tired? I want to catch more'. And I am like going on and on... nicking 100 of catches to him. And it's not just a one-off day. Every series. There are a few days where he takes more than 100 catches on session. And the energy with which he does it is mind-boggling. For me, that's sight which I will take with me to my grave... Virat Kohli practicing.”
He signed off by saying, “And even for slip catching... hundreds and hundreds of catches. Be it Brisbane, Ahmedabad, or Southampton. Wherever he is. When it comes to fielding, the intensity with which he does it is a lesson; he is a template for any young cricketer to follow. He wants it fast, very specific... 'give me more to my left, to my right. More one-handed, two-handed. And if he things the ball is coming too slow, he would take a few steps forward and challenge his reaction.”
