MyKhel Exclusive! Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Need to Get Back With Their First Coaches, Says MP Singh

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The chatter over Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma continues. Media and social media are divided. Some are baying for their blood and others feel the two superstars of Indian cricket can again find form.

Amidst all this, celebrated commentators like Ravi Shastri say the two should go back and play first class cricket. It is a Catch 22 situation for the two batters, one a former captain and the other a present captain.

The worry is not so much about white ball cricket, but Test cricket. Kohli has perished outside the off-stump repeatedly. His dismissals have become the butt of ridicule and memes have been created as well.

One man still thinks Kohli and Rohit still have plenty of cricket left in them is coach MP Singh. Yes, the same coach who had even helped out MS Dhoni in 2015 after he had quit Test captaincy and played a few more years of white ball cricket.

Dhoni had surprised one and all in 2015 when he dropped in at the National Stadium in New Delhi and asked MP Singh for tips. There was no ego issue, just wanting to find out what was wrong.

MP, as the well-known ex SAI coach is known, has groomed several players in his long career. Even now, post retirement, he is coaching at a few academies in New Delhi and Noida.

In an exclusive interview with MyKhel, MP Singh offered insight. "When MS came to me, the first thing I told him was he should not have quit Test cricket midway in a series," recalled Singh. This happened in 2015. But Dhoni was willing to listen and wanted to see if there was any flaw in his batting technique.

"I watched him and saw the predominant bottom hand grip. I ensured there was a minor modification made wherein with more or less the same group he could still score. If I remember right, he went to Bangladesh and scored runs. All that was done was minor changes and he was hitting the ball over the head of the bowler for at least a four. I also asked him to bat up the order," recalled MP Singh.

So, what is his suggestion for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. "They are very big players. And if anyone says they should quit Test cricket, that is nonsense. Where are the batters to replace them, they are still good," said MP Singh.

Pressed further, his advice was very simple. "I firmly believe every cricketer should go back to the basics. Be it once every three months or six months, go back to the coach who first taught you the basics. In no time, the flaws will be ironed out," said MP.

On Virat Kohli, cerebral coach MP Singh said: "His footwork is not OK and he is playing outside the off-stump and getting out. He needs to sort out his footwork with his coach. Virat has to decide to who he has to go.

"These days one can see replays and so much more. There is a big difference between playing T20 cricket and Tests. In Tests, you are probed outside the off stump, the technique has to be strong.

"Even if you have scored 9,000 runs and more, get back to basics. It is not that bowlers have to bait you outside the off stump. Get the bowling machine, and Virat can keep checking his shots outside the off stump with his coach. Then see the difference, he will be fine. Badaaa player hai boss," said MP Singh.

MP Singh has the same advice for Rohit Sharma. "I know Rohit has his own coach in Mumbai. He just has to ask for his help and he can restore the confidence. The main thing is spending time with the coach you grew up under. One look and they will sort it out.

"And this is something I recommend to all those who I taught cricket. When you are playing Test cricket, it is the biggest challenge," added MP Singh. He stressed, there is still a lot left in Kohli and Rohit.

Recalling the lessons with MS Dhoni over a decade back, he got a bit emotional. "Big player and still so simple he came to me. I can never forget those few days at the National Stadium." That was in 2015. In 2025, the same advice for two biggest batters in Indian Test cricket.