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'At This Stage, Kohli Doesn't Need Practice' - Batting Coach After Indian Maestro's 38

image-lqne845hKohli hadn't featured in the intra-squad clash (AP Photo)

Vikram Rathour defended Virat Kohli's decision to skip the three-day intra-squad fixture played by Indians leading into the Boxing Day Test against South Africa in Centurion by stating the modern-day legend doesn't need to practice too much at this stage of his illustrious career. 

Rathour, India's batting coach, reminded everyone the number of hours Kohli puts into his training and practising regime and insisted missing one three-day clash wouldn't have diminished the man's preparations. 

The former Indian captain was due to turn out in the inter-squad clash, as Kohli was forced to refrain due to an undisclosed family emergency as he flew to London before making a timely return ahead of the two-match Test series versus the Proteas. 


Rathour Defends Kohli Skipping Warm-Up Game 

Backing Rathour's words on the cricket field, the right-hand stalwart looked in majestic touch whilst he was there on a treacherous surface designed for South African seamers to curtail the Indian wings. Kohli offered a tight defence and waited patiently for balls to be dispatched in his half. 

The great batter struck a resilient 38 off 64 deliveries to resurrect Indian innings in a valiant partnership with Shreyas Iyer (31) after a horrific top-order collapse reduced the visitors to 24 for 3. Kohli was looking in his true element and aiming big when he was unfortunately done in by an unplayable outswinger from Kagiso Rabada. 

"The stage of his career Virat (Kohli) is, I don't think he needs a lot of practice," Rathour told the press after the rain-interrupted Day 1, as India rallied on the shoulders of unbeaten wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul's excellent 70* to reach 208/8. 

"He bats a lot and trains a lot. So, if he practiced a few days less, doesn't matter much. We saw, how well he was playing. It didn't seem he was away from red ball cricket for six months. It's a good sign," he added.