No cricketer can emulate Virat Kohli’s method of preparation, claims Sunil Gavaskar

Critical of the way India prepared for the Test series against England, Gavaskar felt that lack of practice before the Edgbaston Test hurt India and was one of the reasons why the batsmen could not play quality swing bowling. After the ODI series defeat, the Indian team was given a five-day break where the players spent time in Europe.

Gavaskar was livid with the fact that India just played eight limited overs international games (3 T20Is and ODIs against England and 2 T20Is against Ireland) before the Test series. He felt that a five-day continuous break was not at all necessary as it could have been used to play some practice games.

“I can understand that the players need rest after a series, but a five-day break is really unnecessary. It can be a three-day break in between matches but not five days. Just a three-day warm-up game was no preparation at all,” Gavaskar told India Today.

The 69-year-old was not happy with the team management’s decision of changing an official first-class game into a practice session with all the 18 players taking part. He felt that the team should have played a couple of three-dayers and first-class games.

“The team should have played at least two three-dayers and proper first-class games. I did not like the fact that they changed it (match versus Essex) into a practice session with all the 18 players taking part. They should have prepared in a better way,” he added.

“You can take as many throw-downs or keep playing in the nets, but in a match situation, everything matters. It is a completely different scenario and is the best way to prepare."

Speaking about the Indian skipper, Gavaskar said that no player could match Virat Kohli’s method of preparation. He felt that Kohli could score a century even after a 50-day break while others couldn’t.

“I’ve always felt that Virat Kohli is an exceptional talent. He can take 50 days off and score a hundred the next day. He can afford to take some time off and the team management needs to understand that others need practice. I feel, his decision of skipping the Afghanistan Test and playing County cricket was correct,” he said.

However, the former opening batsman backed the Indian team to do well and felt that they had to include an extra batsman in the playing XI in such conditions.

“I’ve always believed that you in an additional batsman in foreign conditions. I believe in this team and they will do well,” Gavaskar concluded.