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Virat Kohli doesn’t need to put in extra hours training to face spin, says RCB spin-bowling coach

While defending Kohli, RCB bowling coach said: "It wasn't only Virat last season who was not batting at the desired strike rate. It was the whole team."

Virat Kohli of Royal Challengers Bengaluru during an IPL 2025 match vs Rajasthan Royals at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. (Sportzpics)

A ‘genius’ like Virat Kohli doesn’t need to put in extra hours perfecting his play against spin, said RCB spin-bowling coach Malolan Rangarajan on the Indian superstar’s improved strike rate against spinners this Indian Premier League. Questions have been raised over Kohli’s play against spinners in the middle overs even previously in the IPL but talking about last year, Malolan said it wasn’t fair to single out Kohli.

“It wasn’t only Virat last season who was not batting at the desired strike rate. It was the whole team. So I think the whole team got together. And that’s precisely what happened. That’s part one,” said Malolan on the eve of the away game against Delhi Capitals here on Sunday.

“Part two is about Virat Kohli as the individual. He does not need to go and practice extra against left-arm spin and leg spin. He’s batted for 20-25 years.

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“He’s a genius. He just has to decide what he wants to do and how he wants to take down a particular bowler.

“And it’s very evident that someone like Virat, even after having played for so long, he’s constantly looking at what more he can do. Which is, to me, unbelievable.” Kohli was the leading run getter in IPL 2024 with 741 runs with his strike rate against pace and spin being 168.79 and 137.9 respectively. More than halfway into the current season, his strike rate against pace and spin stands at 147.76 and 140.57. Kohli could also end up topping the run-scorers’ list if his team goes deep in the tournament.

“The attitude with which he comes into every training session, every match. So, Virat, I don’t think he did anything specifically physically (on his spin play).

“Batting more of left-arm spin, batting more leg spin. It was just the group coming together and acknowledging the fact that we weren’t good enough last year,” Malolan added further.

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