Sun Jan 26 13:11:08 UTC 2025: ## Kohli Recruits Former Coach Bangar for Ranji Trophy Comeback
**New Delhi** – Virat Kohli, facing a recent slump in form, is preparing for his Ranji Trophy return after a 12-year absence with a special training session led by his former India batting coach, Sanjay Bangar. The session focused on strengthening Kohli’s backfoot play, a weakness that has been exposed in recent matches.
Kohli’s participation in the Delhi’s final league game against Railways, mandated by the BCCI for centrally contracted players, follows a period of underperformance. His 190 runs in nine innings during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy raised concerns about his international future, with repeated dismissals against deliveries outside off-stump highlighting a technical deficiency.
The reunion with Bangar, who coached Kohli during his most prolific years (2014-2019), signifies the trust Kohli places in his former mentor. During that period, Kohli amassed the bulk of his 80 international centuries. A senior BCCI official confirmed Kohli’s positive feedback about Bangar’s coaching post the 2019 World Cup.
The training session, held at a facility developed by Bangar, involved throwdowns focusing on playing rising deliveries on the backfoot. This addresses Kohli’s tendency to favor front-foot play, limiting his shot range. The goal is to develop more shots square of the wicket.
The Delhi & Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) anticipates a large turnout for Kohli’s match, opening two stands to accommodate an expected 10,000 spectators. Entry, as always, will be free.
First Piper 