Indian skipper Virat Kohli reveals a big secret, finds nets claustrophobic. The phobia forces him to practice on a centre wicket with fielders to get the feel of a real match.
While speaking to former West Indies cricketer Vivian Richards, he said, “I have felt this way many times where the pitches are fast and bouncy, or even in the nets when you are playing. I am sure you wouldn’t go to the practice just randomly practicing,” try to get Richards opinion on his take on net practice.
“You would go with the intent that I’m going to stand up against my own bowlers and not get out, not even hit a ball on the edge, hit everything from the middle of the bat.”
Richards in response stated, “It’s the same thinking, you go and try to eliminate may be the getting out process, but I have always found nets to be claustrophobic that makes me uncomfortable.”
Agreeing with the legendary cricketer, Virat Kohli said, “I think exactly the same about the net practice, the way they make you feel claustrophobic and I prefer having a centre wicket net which is open against our bowler’s with fielders giving a real life match stimulation.”
Further, Virat Kohli spoke about how he visualised the Australian bowlers before facing them for a four match Test series in 2014-15. He said, “In 2014, we went to England and I had a very bad tour. But the next one was Australia which was even more hostile and tough. The thing that helped me at that time was visualisation. Three months before going to Australia, I started visualising that I’m taking these bowlers on and I’m going to dominate and come out on top, and that for me was a revelation. I had so much belief because of putting the thought.”