IND vs BAN: Virat Kohli's preparation against spinners questioned after Day 1 of Chennai camp

Former Indian cricketer and cricket expert Subramaniam Badrinath has sparked a whole new debate regarding Virat Kohli's preparations ahead of the highly anticipated two-match Test series against Bangladesh, starting on September 19 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

As fans are busy building excitement for this thrilling encounter, Badrinath has raised the question of whether Virat Kohli missed a golden opportunity by skipping the Duleep Trophy 2024 matches that could have been crucial in sharpening his skills against Bangladesh's famed spin arsenal.

Subramaniam Badrinath questions Virat Kohli's decision to skip Duleep Trophy 2024 ahead of Bangladesh Test series

The Bangladesh cricket team has the reputation of producing an army of left-arm spinners, and they are likely to turn out with their best spin attack in the upcoming Test series against India.

Given that, Badrinath believes that Virat Kohli could have regained his touch against the spinners while playing a couple of matches in the ongoing Duleep Trophy 2024.

Subramaniam Badrinath said on Insidesport: “So, that's where I thought that probably it would have been good for Virat Kohli to play one of the Duleep Trophy matches that is happening. So, I think, yes, Bangladesh; we all know that they are one of the best spinner tanks.

Every third person, every third person in every street has a left-arm spinner in Bangladesh. So, they will definitely come with left-arm spinners into this India series. So, that's where I thought that probably it would have been good for Virat to play one of the Duleep Trophy matches that is happening.”

The former Indian off-spinner further pointed out that no number of nets that any player can have beats actual match practice, especially when one is gearing up against a spin-heavy attack like that of Bangladesh.

Just to get into the groove, he should have played a Duleep Trophy 2024 game: Badrinath

He admitted that Virat Kohli is the premier batter of Team India, but at least a game in the ongoing Duleep Trophy 2024 would have given him an edge for the upcoming Test series, which is part of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25.

With Virat Kohli leading India through a tight Test season and the WTC 2023-25 points on stake, pressure will be immense on the former Indian skipper, who was last seen in action in the ODI series against Sri Lanka. India had lost that ODI series by a 0-2 margin in Sri Lanka.

Badrinath further explained, “I think, how much ever you practice in the nets, it might be one match or two matches equal to 100 net sessions, is what I feel. I think what you can learn in these... So, probably I would have loved to see, as purely as a cricket expert, I am not advising or asking him to do anything.

But as a cricket expert, I thought that probably one match, if he had played the Duleep Trophy, would help him play against the spinners. Just to get into the groove. Just to refresh your memory about what it is to play in India against the spinners. But he is a great player. I think he will come up with the goons. Big test season coming up for India.”

'Virat is going to be the key in the upcoming Tests'

However, Badrinath is confident about Kohli's abilities to pull off a miracle and get India going despite missing the perfect warm-up by avoiding playing in the Duleep Trophy 2024. Well, the dashing right-hander’s class is unquestionable, but it will be crucial how he tackles spin against Bangladesh.

He signed off by saying, “I still believe Virat is the number one test batsman. For India needs to do well in test cricket, in the WTC and all that, I think Virat is going to be the key.”

🚨INSIDESPORT EXCLUSIVE🚨

"It would have been good for Virat Kohli to play in one of the Duleep Trophy matches"

"Virat is still the No.1 Test batter of India and he is going to be the key to winning the WTC"

- S Badrinath#CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/Fj0hbTaQT6

— InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) September 13, 2024