Virat Kohli‘s relentless dedication to improving his game remains an enduring source of inspiration for his teammates. RCB batting coach and former player Dinesh Karthik highlighted Kohli’s commitment during a press interaction on Thursday.
LIVE Cricket Score | CSK vs RCB Live Score, IPL 2025
“Even today, just now as I came out, he wanted to work on one more shot. At this point in time, to work on one more shot tells you the hunger that he has in his mindset,” said Karthik on the eve of RCB’s clash against CSK.
He emphasised Kohli’s continuous quest for excellence, noting, “He wants to just improve and keep raising the bar. At this point in time, the way I see it, he is batting as confidently and as well as he has ever done in the IPL.”
Kohli’s spin struggles
Karthik also played down concerns about Kohli’s recent struggles against spin. Highlighting Kohli’s recent performances, he stated, “He’s coming on some serious runs in the Champions Trophy. He’s batted well in the recent past against spin, especially in white-ball cricket.”
Referring to Kohli’s performance in critical tournaments, Karthik added, “In the World Cup final, he got runs where it mattered. And apart from that, in the Champions Trophy, he had a good tournament, finishing as the second-highest run-getter. That doesn’t come without playing spin well.”
RCB vs CSK match at Chepauk
RCB has struggled historically against CSK, particularly at Chepauk, where they have never won in the last 16 years. RCB’s batters will face another stern spin challenge when they take on the five-time champions on Friday.
When asked about RCB’s approach against spin, Karthik remained confident. “I don’t think there’s any problem. We played one match with a completely new side this year. One of the strengths, I believe, is the way we play spin.”
He further expressed trust in his team’s batting prowess, stating, “CSK have three good spinners, but we also have very good batters who we trust. One of the reasons why we picked them is how well they play spin.”
CSK’s long-serving coach Stephen Fleming shared his insights on why young players often struggle against spin. According to Fleming, the lack of extensive first-class experience impacts their ability to handle spinners effectively.
“A lot of these players are coming straight out of one or two seasons of first-class cricket. They haven’t got the 10 years of experience required to learn the subtleties of playing spin,” Fleming explained.
He praised their power-hitting abilities but pointed out the challenges they face, saying, “Their default position is power, but the subtleties of the game are something that you learn over time. When you’re young and facing high-level spinners for the first time, it’s a tough stage.”
Fleming concluded by noting that players who develop the ability to handle spin better often make a significant difference on the field.
(With PTI inputs)