Virat Kohli Powers Up: Inside His Brutal England Prep

**Virat Kohli** turned to pre‑dawn drills in Mumbai to battle English swing, a regimen Sanjay Bangar disclosed ahead of India’s 2026 England series. The former coach said Kohli and Rohit Sharma will re‑enter the ODI line‑up after a 0‑3 whitewash in the Test and a 0‑2 loss in the T20I leg.

Bangar explained that sessions began at 6:00 am, when natural dew still clung to the outfield. Players hit the ball on an uncovered pitch, letting the moisture mimic the heavy morning air of English venues. When the sun evaporated the dew, staff poured extra water onto the surface, ensuring the ball kept “snaking” through the air. The routine was repeated day after day, forcing Kohli to adjust his timing and footwork against lateral movement.

During India’s 2014 England tour, Kohli struggled against the moving ball, prompting a personal overhaul. Bangar noted that the 2017‑18 preparation aimed at two pillars: mastering swing and playing the ball late. By training in damp conditions, Kohli learned to keep his eyes level and his bat swing late, reducing edges and improving his ability to drive the ball when it swung late.

India entered the 2026 England tour on a sour note, losing the first T20I 0‑2 to Ireland and then falling 9 wickets to England in Bristol on Thursday. The heavy defeat left the series at 0‑3. With the final T20I now a dead rubber, the focus has shifted to the three‑match ODI series starting in Birmingham on Tuesday, where Kohli and Sharma will lead under Shubman Gill’s captaincy.

Bangar believes the grueling early‑morning work will pay off. Kohli’s recent form shows a sharper back‑foot game, and his ability to handle swing should translate into more stable opening partnerships. If the dew‑driven drills stick, the Indian batting line‑up could finally crack the code that has haunted them on English soil for years.

The coaching staff, including head coach Rahul Dravid, coordinated the water‑soaked pitches. Bangar, a former India all‑rounder and current batting consultant, narrated the story on Doordarshan’s *The Great Indian Cricket Show*. His insights underscore the collective effort behind Kohli’s transformation, highlighting that individual brilliance often rests on team‑wide preparation.

The ODI series kicks off on 9 July 2026 in Birmingham. India will need Kohli’s refined swing‑handling to chase competitive totals against a disciplined England side. With the pressure mounting, every early‑morning session could become the difference between a win and another defeat on foreign soil.