I have always wanted Virat Kohli to be a better Test cricketer: Rajkumar Sharma

Virat Kohli and his coach Raj Kumar Sharma shares a wonderful bonding where they always discuss each other’s concerns and took to improve. Not a single day passes that they don’t speak with each other. Every step that the Modern Master takes to strengthen his authority on the game it takes Sharma to those days when he realised that a “gem” was in the making who would make giant strides in international cricket.

“I’ve always wanted him to be a better Test cricketer than a champion of the limited overs brand. “I’m glad he has not disappointed me,” Sharma was quoted as saying by Hindu. Sharma chose Kohli’s 235 as his best knock because he rated the English bowlers highly and lauded Kohli for scoring effortlessly against a champion bowling attack. “It came against a good attack. He had walked in at a difficult situation and responded so well” said Sharma.

The only time that Sharma was concerned with Kohli’s batting was during the 2014 tour in England where Kohli scored only 134 runs in 5 Tests at an average of 10.  “I felt he was slightly low. He is a confident man otherwise. I almost flew to join him before the last two Tests. But I’m so happy he kept his focus in place and emerged a strong player thereafter. He is a rare batsman who never worries about what kind of pitch awaits him.”

Sharma also added that Kohli visualises that where the bowlers would bowl and plan accordingly. “He visualises where would they bowl, how would he react; all this comes from his involvement with the game. He is always one step ahead. After my warning, he has desisted from playing the cut and pull early in his innings.”

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Sharma also lauded Kohli for his humility and said he was lucky to have a humble student like Kohli. “There are a few areas I want him to improve in. I’ll tell him privately, but one can expect him to adapt to the suggestions in quick time.” Kohli can’t afford not to listen. “My coach is the only person I fear,” Kohli had admitted very recently.

Sharma was awaiting the 4 match Test series against Australia and said it will be a great series and Kohli would need to concentrate hard as the Australian players are good at disturbing. “It’s going to be a big series. Virat will need to concentrate hard because the Aussies are good at disturbing you. But I know he is waiting for them,” Sharma concluded.