Kohli hints at inclusion of extra seamer
Southampton: Virat Kohli will embark on the most defining journey of his international career, carrying the hopes of more than a billion when he leads India against an injury-hit South Africa in their World Cup opener here Wednesday.
Kohli is one of the best batsmen of this era but this edition of the World Cup will define his legacy as a leader, an aspect on which the jury is still out despite some heady achievements in the Test arena. The current team does have potent match-winners with the skipper himself being the biggest of them all but it still misses the aura, the ‘class of 2011’ under Mahendra Singh Dhoni had.
The ‘Men In Blue’ have had adequate rest. All other teams have already played two games each and they can’t wait to kick-start their campaign with a commanding performance.
The first match in a tournament of such vast magnitude is always important and South Africa’s confidence will be at its lowest following back-to-back defeats against England and Bangladesh. To make matters worse, senior speedster Dale Steyn has been ruled out of the tournament due to a shoulder injury and has been replaced by left-arm seamer Beuran Hendricks. Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi is also out for at least tomorrow’s game with a hamstring strain.
Hashim Amla got a nasty hit on the helmet off Jofra Archer’s short ball against England in the opening game. The clash couldn’t possibly have been more well-timed as India have a chance to hold the Proteas by the scruff of their neck when they are seemingly at their weakest.
However, a cornered opponent is always a dangerous proposition and head coach Ravi Shastri, a shrewd tactician by all means, will be surely making the players aware of the consequences of taking their foot off the pedal.
The prevalent overcast conditions in Southampton may force the Indian team management to opt for an extra seamer against South Africa in the opening World Cup game on Wednesday, indicated skipper Virat Kohli.While chances of Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s inclusion in the playing XI look brighter by the minute, Kohli gave an open-ended reply to the various questions on possible team combinations. There are indictions that Mohammed Shami may make the way for Bhuvneshwar but there are not any confirmation with regards to that. In that case, Vijay Shankar will pip Kedar Jadhav to share the third seamer’s duties with Hardik Pandya. “We know it is a different situation in England when there is a cloud cover and when there is sun out. With two new balls, if the pitch has something to offer, then an extra seamer comes into the play big time. But even on a good pitch, on a batting-friendly pitch with two new balls, I foresee the first 10 overs to be challenging if there is cloud cover,” Kohli said, dropping a broad hint on Bhuvneshwar’s possible inclusion. While Bhuvneshwar is a capable batsman but seamer-friendly conditions may prompt India to drop a spinner in case a fully fit Jadhav is included.
“I think it will definitely be challenging, starting at 10.30 am in the morning for the batsmen and that is something that we have discussed and we have recognized how to go about it, what are the plans heading into being a bit more solid in that particular phase,” said the skipper without divulging much. “And from the bowling point of view as well, even if you play with two spinners, two seamers or three seamers, they are going to be in the game in the first half if you start at 10.30 am. The dynamics will change from morning to afternoon big time and the bowlers will have to adapt very quickly to that,” he said. Jadhav’s all-round abilities always keeps him in the mix, insisted Kohli.
“Kedar is batting in the nets now and he is hitting the ball well, so it is always nice to have him back in the mix because of the variety he brings into the side. Looking at the pitch, we will have discussions over what the balanced combination will be, but I think we are equipped to handle all kinds of conditions here,” Kohli signed off. (PTI)
