With India set to play arch-rivals Pakistan in a high-profile game to begin their campaign in the Super 4 stage of the 2022 Asia Cup at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday (September 4), Indian batting talisman Virat Kohli was seen training in an unique and unprecedented manner on Friday in the build-up to the game.
At India’s training activity at the ICC Cricket Academy in Dubai, Kohli was seen wearing a ‘high altitude mask’ while doing running drills. The ex-Indian captain took multiple sprints of the ground while having the special mask on. Kohli was seen completing one sprint, taking a 30-second break, and then going on another sprint which is a trademark cardio activity aimed at improving stamina and fitness.
However, it was Kohli’s decision to wear the mask that left many surprised. The ‘high altitude mask’ are designed to typically make one feel like it does in the hills where oxygen levels are low. While one is wearing such a mask, the oxygen levels entering the body are reduced and it helps individuals prepare for extreme weather conditions
After taking a break of more than a month and missing India’s away tours to West Indies and Zimbabwe, Kohli made his comeback to international cricket in the Asia Cup. The Indian batting legend came in the tournament with his form a big talking following a poor campaign in the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) and a forgetful tour to England in all three formats.
This led to many questioning his place in the T20 World Cup squad but Kohli has shown signs of regaining his touch in the continental showpiece event. In the tournament opener against Pakistan, the 33-year-old played a solid knock of 35 in 34 balls in a tense run chase. Later, he scored his first international half-century since February with an unbeaten innings of 59 in 44 balls against Hong Kong.
