Virat Kohli has credited the team’s throwdown trio of D Raghvendra, Nuwan Seneviratne and Dayanand Garani for making a “big difference” to his batting.

The former captain struck his 74th international century and 46th ODI ton during the third and final ODI against Sri Lanka on Sunday. Later Kohli didn’t forget to thank the backroom staff.

“All three of them have given us world-class practice every time we play. They challenge us in the nets like any 145 or 150kmph pace bowlers. They always try to get us out and make sure that they test us regularly,” Kohli said during an interaction with teammate Shubman Gill on bcci.tv.

“At times, it feels very intense. For me that has been the difference in my career, to be very honest.... From where I was as a cricketer before I started getting this kind of practice to where I am today.”

Raghavendra, who is fondly known as ‘Raghu’, joined the team from the National Cricket Academy. He has also worked with Sachin Tendulkar and Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Left-handed Seneviratne of Sri Lanka was recruited in 2018 to help the batters prepare against left-arm pacers. Dayanand, a civic volunteer with Kolkata Police who had earlier worked with Kings XI Punjab, joined Team India after Raghu tested positive for Covid-19 in 2020 and has remained with the team since.

“A lot of credit has to go to these guys, who have given us practice regularly and their contribution has been unbelievable. You guys should remember their names and faces because, behind our success, a lot of effort has been put in by these guys,” Kohli said.

Gill agreed. “These three combined would have had 1200 to 1500 wickets. They prepare us for all kinds of conditions heading into the match.”

Kohli, who scored two hundreds in the ODI series, was happy with his performance. “It’s been a great start. It’s been a while since I started the year like this... getting a hundred and then scoring two hundreds in the series and also becoming the Man of the Series.

“I am just happy that in the World Cup year, I am able to start like this, and I know I can be consistent. When I start like this, and I start feeling confident, then things usually go well,” he said. “The team is gelling well as a batting unit...”

Kohli also congratulated Gill for scoring his first century at home — 116 off 97 balls.