Former Indian cricket team mental coach Paddy Upton spoke about the mental state of star prospect Virat Kohli ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. Paddy Upton has said that crying at home against New Zealand has affected the Indian team’s mood ahead of the tough tour.
Kohli is currently preparing for the first Test of the five-match series in Perth starting November 22. The fielder is coming off a tough series against New Zealand where he scored just 93 runs in six overs in three matches at an average of 15.50, including 70 runs in the First Test match.
Virat Kohli Plays His Best Cricket Under Highest Pressure – Paddy Upton
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Paddy Upton said that Virat Kohli plays his best cricket in the highest pressure situations. Upton added that Kohli is confident and in good spirits despite the tough outing against New Zealand.
“The reality is that India lose 3-0 to New Zealand, which will obviously be a bit of a morale blow. It’s not good for anyone and it doesn’t put them in a great place,” Paddy Upton said.
“Going to Australia, it’s a very tough tour. It’s a very tough opposition. Virat is someone who plays his best cricket in the most high-pressure situations and although he hasn’t done that well recently and he hasn’t had a good game. Against New Zealand, I can tell you that , it hasn’t affected him, he still feels very good about himself, about his game and very confident.”
Virat Kohli Is Very Ready For It – Paddy Upton
Indian cricketers are in Australia for a tough tour, Virat Kohli is ready to rise to the challenge. Despite his recent form, his experience and mental strength make him a key player for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Full interview: https://t.co/4CP1aySq2y #ViratKohli #paddyupton pic.twitter.com/hO4PTgBVuZ
— Paddy Upton (@PaddyUpton1) November 21, 2024
Paddy Upton has praised Virat Kohli for his professionalism and dedication, saying he has never worked with a cricketer who was more professional, hardworking or willing to go the extra mile than Virat. He admitted that even top players like Kohli go through lean patches.
“I’ve never worked with a cricketer who is more professional, more diligent in his preparation and more distance than Virat. He’s so ready for it; he’s so experienced,” Upton added.
“He knows what it’s like to play against Australia and he knows what it’s like to play the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He’s up and ready and we know Virat is mentally one of the strongest cricketers in the game. But even the best in the world have their bad patches, their low patches. have.”
Rohit Sharma To Miss First Test Of India’s BGT 2024-25 Series
With Rohit Sharma unavailable, Virat Kohli will have to lead the batting line-up. Kohli has worked hard in the nets to prepare for the challenge. He is India’s fourth highest run-scorer in Test cricket at 47.83 with 9,040 runs in 118 matches, including 31 fifties and 29 centuries.
The 36-year-old batsman has scored 1,352 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 54.08, including four fifties and six centuries. India have won four consecutive bilateral Test series against Australia, including two wins on Australian soil. Under Kohli’s leadership, India secured their first Test series victory in Australia.
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