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This is an archive article published on July 9, 2013
Part-timer Kohli plays his part
When ONGC lifted the DDCA Hot Weather Tournament trophy on Sunday night,the spotlight fell on two players Gautam Gambhir and the ageless 41-year-old Sandeep Sharma
When ONGC lifted the DDCA Hot Weather Tournament trophy on Sunday night,the spotlight fell on two players Gautam Gambhir and the ageless 41-year-old Sandeep Sharma. Both had struck centuries to help their side outclass Air India by nine wickets in the final. Amidst the celebrations in the ONGC dressing room,where every one heaped praise on the ONGC openers,Sharma modestly acknowledged Taruwar Kohli’s three-wicket haul and a brilliant run out at the start of the match for helping ONGC take control of proceedings. Owing to Kohli’s contribution,the team had held Air India at 267/7 in 45 overs. Kohli contributed with bat and ball right through the tournament,scoring 53 and taking three wickets in the quarterfinals,before picking up two scalps in the semis.
The match turned out to be a one-sided affair with Gambhir and Sharma making a mockery of the Air India bowlers,chasing the target in 41.4 overs. But Kohli was the man for ONGC till the halfway stage. “He has been performing really well for us. He is a brilliant fielder,a batsman who can change the match in the middle order and a part-time bowler who stays within his limitations and knows how to bowl in different situations. I truly believe that Taruwar has a lot of talent and he is one of the promising players we have,” said Sharma,who scored an unbeaten 124 with 14 fours and two sixes.
While Sharma put his faith in Kohli’s bowling,the latter said that he is a pure batsman first and only an occasional bowler. “Though I don’t put in long hours of practice into my bowling,I enjoy it occasionally. Because I am a batsman,I know what length can disturb a player. I just start bowling with that in mind,” said Kohli,who went for 49 in his nine overs and picked up three wickets.
Kohli,despite the fact that batting is his main focus,said that bowling has added to his profile. “Control comes naturally to me,and I’m able to bowl a stump-to-stump line. In various training camps,coaches have tried to make changes in my bowling but none have suited me. So I do what is comfortable. Accuracy plays a major role in deciding whether you can get through your full quota or not,” said Kohli who is currently attending Punjab’s off-season camp in Mohali.
In the final,Kohli was introduced as the fifth bowler by Gambhir in the 18th over. “As a part-timer I wasn’t under pressure and kept it simple by hitting a good length. The situation demanded seam-up and stump-to-stump bowling. In the slog overs,I relied largely on slower ones and the occasional bouncer,” he said.
Positive changes
Speaking about his batting,Kohli said that playing among ONGC’s vastly experienced players has helped him refine his skills,especially while facing spin bowling. “At ONGC,I usually bat at No.4 and it is a position where there is a lot of responsibility. The level of competition is very good and you get to play every kind of bowler,” he said.
“Two seasons back I struggled in the Delhi circuit and my seniors told me that there was no way I could survive if I didn’t sweep and step out to the spinners. I wanted to learn and practiced a lot the next season. The idea is to unsettle their lines because they are extremely good bowlers and are very accurate with their lines and lengths. Last season Gautam paaji advised me use the crease while playing the spinners and to make sure that I don’t commit too early. The mantra is working wonders for me.”
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