Virat Kohli does not appreciate 99 per cent effort; he demands that extra effort from his teammates too in each and every ball, and whenever he sees his team misfield, he gets upset
India skipper Virat Kohli holds his shoulder after he was injured while fielding during the first day of the third Test against Australia in Ranchi yesterday. Pic/AFP
Ranchi: Virat Kohli does not appreciate 99 per cent effort. He demands the full 100. Every time the ball comes to him or he chases one, he gives more than 100 per cent and it shows. He demands that extra effort from his teammates too in each and every ball, and whenever he sees his team misfield, he gets upset.
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It could be seen early in the day yesterday when Murali Vijay, who was declared fit after passing a series of tests on his shoulder a day before the match, failed to cut down the angle of a powerful flick from Steve Smith at midwicket. To make it worse, the India opener did not attempt a dive to stop the ball. From Vijay’s point of view it might have been the right move given that he has an injured shoulder but it certainly did not impress Kohli. The skipper kicked the ground in disgust.
India’s catching might have been patchy during the home season but their ground fielding has been a revelation. But for the first time after 12 Tests, there was a sense of sloppiness or tiredness about them.
Leading by example
The fact that Kohli had to leave the field during the 40th over proved to be a big setback for the home team. Kohli’s absence means there was no one to stand at short mid-wicket and send those throws whizzing past the batsmen. There was no chirping, there was no banter and nor was there anyone to keep the others in the team on their toes.
With Ajinkya Rahane, the stand-in captain posting himself at first slip for most part of the day, India’s close-in fielders and those within the circle — Vijay and KL Rahul with dodgy shoulders, weary Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav along with sluggish fielders in Chesteshwar Pujara and Ravi Ashwin — suddenly looked a little vulnerable on an outfield which is regarded one of the fastest in the country.
Those tough angles
India’s fielding coach R Sridhar at the end of the day’s play, said: "On such a quick outfield, it is important to cut down the angles because once the ball beats the infield it is difficult to chase the ball down."
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