India Bowlers Will Exploit England’s Weakness, Says Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli, the Indian skipper has said that the opposition has weaknesses too and his bowlers will look to exploit them in the upcoming pink-ball Test against England in Ahmedabad from Wednesday, 24th February.

India captain Virat Kohli has made some bold comments ahead of the highly-talked-about pink-ball Test against England at the revamped Motera Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad from Wednesday.

Virat Kohli: Focused On Team’s Strengths And Expect Bowlers To Exploit Opposition’s Weakness

Answering a question in the pre-match press conference, Virat Kohli said that his team is focused on their strengths, adding that England too has weaknesses that will be exploited by his teammates. There have been a lot of talks about the prevailing conditions for the upcoming Test, which India will look to win to keep their chances of qualifying in the final of the World Test Championship alive.

Now, Virat Kohli has asserted that seamer-friendly conditions will be a challenge for England as well.

“We are focused on our strengths as a team. There are weaknesses in the opposition as well and we have the bowlers to exploit those weaknesses. If the conditions are going to be seamer-friendly, then it’s going to be a challenge for them too,” Virat Kohli said.

England all-rounder Ben Stokes had earlier said that pacers Jofra Archer, James Anderson, and Stuart Broad were “licking their lips” after bowling well in the net sessions. He added that they had to stop bowling after the light came on as it became dangerous for the batsmen in the middle.

Joe Root Reckoned Experience Of England’s Conditions Will Go In England’s Favours

England players including opener Zak Crawley and captain Joe Root had reckoned that the visitors will have an edge in seaming conditions because of their exposure to it from their early days.

“If it is more seam-orientated then the experience of growing up in English conditions should be in our favour and it is about handling those conditions as best we can and try to exploit them with ball in hand,” Root had said.

Further, the 32-year-old gave the example of experienced spinner Ravichandran Ashwin who is a smart bowler but he often suggests him from a batsman’s point of view.

“As a captain, it’s important to bring the aggressive version out of your pacers. Ashwin is a smart bowler but sometimes I suggest things to him from a batsman’s perspective. Our bowlers have been doing well in partnerships,” Virat Kohli stated.

Virat Kohli, who has the chance to overtake MS Dhoni’s record of most (21) home Test wins as captain for India stated that India bowlers have been doing well in partnerships. The four-match series between India and England currently stands level at 1-1 after England won the 1st Test by 227 runs before losing the next by 317 runs.

The Day-night Test between India and England begins on Wednesday 24th February and a favourable result would be important in their quest for a WTC final spot. India, England, and Australia have a chance to reach the final to be held at Lord’s later this year. England will reach the finals if they are victorious by a 3-1 margin.