'Changing the stance...' - Former Sri Lanka cricketer gives unique advice to Virat Kohli amidst lean patch in cricket

Former Sri Lanka cricketer Marvan Atapattu gave a piece of advice to Virat Kohli, who is going through a lean patch in his career. During the One World One Family Cup exhibition match between India and Sri Lanka on Saturday, Atapattu was speaking to the media professionals, where he shared his knowledge on Kohli's batting and how he should try to change his batting stance, which will benefit him on the ground. 

"Changing the stance, changing the batting style in my experience that I have seen of Aravinda [de Silva] who has been our greatest, I think something like that sort of clears you up from all the thoughts that are around because you are thinking is about you stance or back lift or whatever," said Marvan Atapattu during an interview. 

Atapattu made a brief analysis of the kind of issues Kohli might be facing these days and said that changing the stance will help him have a different perspective about the bowler as well. He said, "It can change the way that he looks at a bowler bowling a particular line or some pressure that's coming from somewhere else. His concentration is somewhere else, okay I am lifting the bat a bit differently." 

Watch the video here:

Sri Lankan legend Marvan Atapattu gave technical advice to Virat Kohli over his batting stance. #ViratKohli#INDvsENGpic.twitter.com/8qQDzZH2Xz

— Akhilesh Dhar (@akhileshdhar1) February 9, 2025

Kohli, who played in the Test matches in Australia, scored just a single century in one game and struggled throughout the entire series. Even during the T20 World Cup 2024, he failed to put runs on the board throughout the tournament. It was in the finals that he performed well and helped India lift the trophy. With the Champions Trophy coming up, Kohli's form will be of utmost importance to management. 

Even Sanga did it: Marvan Atapattu

Marvan Atapattu shed light on the great Sri Lankan batters like Kumar Sangakkara and Aravinda de Silva who changed their stance for the benefit of the game. It was an important piece of advice for Kohli ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025. 

"Aravinda did it, I don't know how many times he changed it [stance]. It's amazing that he has done it. Even Sanga [Kumar Sangakkara] did it at the last stages of his career. He changed his batting stance. He was with the bat down but he ended up doing that. Something for you to sort of concentrate on your game other than thinking too much about what is happening around you," added Atapattu.