How Virat Kohli tweaked technique after Australia tour

A look at what the master batter has changed since his return from Australia...

BACK TO BANGAR
After Virat Kohli's travails in Australia, he went back to a trusted aide - former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar. Bangar's time with the Indian team from 2014 to 2019 coincided with Kohli's peak, a period in which he scored 19 of his 30 Test hundreds.

In Australia, Kohli managed to score only 190 runs at 23.75 from the 5 Tests, getting out in the same fashion poking outside off-stump.

Visuals showed Bangar giving throwdowns to Kohli from about 16-17 yards, pitching the ball on a cement slab. As Kohli was scoring his 51st ODI ton to power India to victory over Pakistan in the Champions Trophy, Bangar, during his commentary stint, threw more light on what transpired at the training facility in Mumbai...

INCREASED BACK FOOT PLAY
During his 111-ball 100 against Pakistan, it was evident Kohli was playing more on the back foot to back-of-a-length deliveries. Kohli's footwork saw significant improvement against both pacers and spinners, especially his back foot play. Playing off the back foot allowed Kohli to read spinners better and adjust shots accordingly. Once he gained confidence, he started coming forward more often, effectively mixing his approach.


ALTERED BAT POSITIONING
In Australia, Kohli's bat was coming down from closer to the wicketkeeper or first slip. Bangar and Kohli worked on ensuring that his bat came down from the second or third slip region.


ADJUSTMENT IN STANCE
Kohli also slightly opened his stance, allowing for better judgment against pace and spin. This adjustment facilitated more fluid shot execution, particularly through the offside. Additionally, a marginally lower back lift helped in reducing excessive back-and-across movement, leading to more stability and control over his shots.