Virat Kohli backs turning tracks for England Tests
Swashbuckling India batsman Virat Kohli has backed the preparation of turning strips for the next month’s Test series against England.
English cricket experts have strongly criticized the omission of spinners from India A-squad for the warm-up game against England XI, scheduled to be held from November 8-11 in Ahmeabad, citing in the absence of spinners the touring batsmen would be unable to familiarize with the conditions completely.
However, Virat Kohli regarded the move “absolutely fair” saying when India had toured England and Australia last year, the conditions for warm-up matches before Tests were totally different and that was ‘unfair’ for India.
India faced the humiliation of 0-4 Test whitewashes in both England and Australia.
“Why not? We were given flattest of tracks during practice matches in England and Australia and then suddenly presented with a green-top during Tests. During practice matches, we would face those 120 kmph bowlers,” said the 23-year-old prolific batsman.
“If they wanted to be fair to us, they could have provided us with same kind of tracks for practice matches like what were used in Tests. Especially, when they knew that visiting teams get very less time to practice. Now they would be playing on turning tracks and definitely would know where they stand.”
England have included Kevin Pietersen, who is famous for disdaining the spinners with his flamboyant shots, after the resolution of provocative messages saga. But Virat Kohli reckons the load of expectations will keep the South Africa-born batsman under pressure.
“There will be huge pressure on KP as he has been playing in India for quite some time and considered to be a good batsman against spin,” said Kohli insisting tackling the twickers will not be easy for senior England batsmen even if they understand the Indian conditions.
The explosive batsman cited the example of England’s 0-3 Test whitewash to Pakistan in United Arab Emirates (UAE) earlier this year to describe their traditional struggle against spin.
“Come to think of that particular series, there wasn’t much of turn on offer but England couldn’t negotiate one quality spinner (Saeed Ajmal) as they lost the battle in their heads,” he said.
Virat Kohli also defended his skipper MS Dhoni, Coach Duncan Fletcher and teammates, especially batsmen.
The first Test of four-match series will be played at Ahmedabad from November 15-19. The next three Tests are scheduled in Mumbai (Nov 23-27), Kolkata (Dec 5-9), and Nagpur (Dec 13-17).
