![Virat Kohli for India in BGT [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1794206926374_ViratKohliTest.jpg?type=hq)
Virat Kohli for India in BGT [Source: AFP]
Former India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has opened up about a conversation he had with Virat Kohli during India's tour of Australia, when the star batter was struggling with a recurring technical issue.
Virat Kohli repeatedly lost his wicket while attempting drives outside the off stump, raising questions about whether the coaching staff would step in. Ryan ten Doeschate has now explained how he approached the subject, why he took time to find the right moment, and how Kohli responded to the discussion.
Ryan ten Doeschate reveals how he discussed Virat Kohli's technical struggles during BGT
During India's tour of Australia, Kohli found himself caught in a familiar pattern of dismissals, with deliveries outside the off stump repeatedly drawing him into drives. Ten Doeschate, who was part of India's coaching setup, felt the need to discuss the issue but understood that approaching a senior player like Kohli required careful thought.
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Speaking on the talkSPORT Cricket podcast, Ryan recalled how he eventually initiated the conversation during the fourth Test. Rather than directly criticising Kohli's shot selection, he waited for a suitable opportunity and chose a rain break to bring up the matter to the India veteran.
"I actually was just telling a really great story about Virat and the troubles he had in Australia with driving the ball and nicking off. Eventually, in the fourth Test, I went to intervene and chat to him. And he was brilliant about it! And he actually wanted someone to chat to him.
"But my sense is, for a coach to go to a player like Virat Kohli and intervene and almost call them out on what's happening can be dangerous for you as a coach. And I think getting the wording right around that and how you deliver it is so important," Doeschate said.
Doeschate reveals how Kohli reacted to coaching suggestions after failure
Ten Doeschate explained that Virat Kohli did not simply accept the suggestion without discussion. The batter shared his reasoning behind playing the shots and explained why he preferred to drive in that manner.
For the coach, the exchange became an opportunity to understand the player's thinking rather than impose a technical instruction.
"You don't have to agree. You might say, 'I want to drive on the up for these reasons,' and that's actually what happened with Virat. He really explained why he wanted to play in the way he played, and then you can tweak around that."
Although the conversation developed into a constructive discussion, it did not produce the turnaround the coaching staff had hoped for towards the end of the series.
