Star India batter Virat Kohli had an ordinary T20 World Cup. The 35-year-old showed the right intent but struggled to score runs. His form was concerning, but in the final, the former captain rose to the occasion and delivered against South Africa, helping India win by seven runs. Kohli was named Player of the Match for his impactful 76 runs off 59 deliveries.
Kohli’s Intensity and Leadership Praised by Suryakumar Yadav
Even when Kohli struggled with his form, his intensity on the field never dropped, and he gave his all. Teammate Suryakumar Yadav praised Kohli for his efforts, calling him a powerhouse of energy. Yadav added that Kohli’s participation in team get-togethers and practice sessions, despite his struggles, showcased his leadership qualities.
“He is a powerhouse of energy on the ground, irrespective of his performance. Till the final, things didn’t go as he wanted, but the way he carried himself on the field, attending team get-togethers and practice sessions, showed he was a leader in his own way,” Suryakumar told The Indian Express.
Suryakumar Yadav also revealed how he had to improve his fitness to keep up with Kohli. Virat Kohli is arguably the fittest player to ever don the India jersey, converting singles into doubles and doubles into triples, which can be challenging for other cricketers. Speaking about batting alongside Kohli, Suryakumar said it was tough initially, so he started training with Kohli to match his intensity.
“In 2022, when I made my debut, I batted with him during the bilateral series and the World Cup. I realized then that to bat with Virat Kohli, I had to match his fitness because he takes quick runs by pushing the ball into gaps and then hits a four.
“I told the strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai to keep my training time along with his. Sometimes, I don’t feel like training, or my body is tired, or I’m not mentally ready. Watching him during those 40 minutes in the gym helped me push through,” Suryakumar added.
Leave a Reply