World Cup 2019: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma benefit from Bengaluru's ‘bat doctor’

Jun 12, 2019, 6:55 PM IST

Bengaluru: After Indian batsmen posted a mammoth 352 and won their ICC World Cup 2019 game against Australia in London recently, a Bengaluru man is feeling proud over Virat Kohli and his men’s achievement in the 10-team global tournament.

Meet Ram Bhandari, the ‘bat doctor’, who is instrumental in balancing the bats and giving India’s willow wielders the right weapon to demolish bowlers around the globe. His work is being seen in England and Wales as Rohit Sharma hit a century against South Africa and Kohli contributed a fine half century against Australia, using the bats designed by Bhandari.

Bhandari has worked with legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, designing their bats. And he still continues to serve the game with the current crop of stars.

In an exclusive interview with MyNation, Bhandari shared his story. He said he started off with Rahul Dravid in 2004 at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru and repaired his bat handle. Later, he went on to gain the confidence of other players and designed bats for Tendulkar, Dhoni, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, the men who brought India the 2011 World Cup after 28 years. Now he wants Kohli and his men repeat the feat in England.