‘Best in the world’ test for India
Bowlers who can bat are at the forefront of Kohli’s plans for opening Test against England in Chennai
NEW DELHI: After an arduous Australia tour, made worse by sledging and off-field abuse, the buildup to India’s home assignment against England has been full of niceties. “The best in the world”—that’s the phrase repeated by several members of the England side while referring to the home team.
That’s how a comeback win in Australia is evaluated by India’s peers. This is the respect Virat Kohli, back from paternity leave, inherits from stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane going into the first Test in Chennai from Friday.
“He (Rahane) fulfilled his responsibility in Australia with flying colours. It was amazing to see how he led the team towards victory. Between me and Jinks, we have always loved batting with each other. It’s evident on the field and we do chat off the field. We have mutual respect,” Kohli said in a virtual pre-match conference on Thursday.
Respect Kohli has inherited, the team he has not. Injuries and a change in conditions will mean that the XI in the first Tests will look significantly different from the side that won in Brisbane. Bowling combination, for one, will need a lot of deliberation.
India have won the last three Tests at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, with the most recent coming against England in 2016 when Karun Nair scored a triple century and the hosts recorded their highest Test innings score of 759 for seven. Since 2004, all the six Tests played here have gone on to the fifth day with spinners making a major impact. From Anil Kumble to Harbhajan Singh to Ravichandran Ashwin, Indian spinners have done well at the Chepauk.
Kohli hinted that the team
Awill opt for five bowlers. “Bowling combination we will try to give as many options as possible, with guys who have the ability to contribute with the bat. That has been the pattern for success for us in home conditions over the last few years…that will be at the forefront of our plans,” Kohli said. “The pitch is a normal Chepauk pitch. Quite a nice batting track, with spinners getting assistance eventually in the game. The track is good for fast bowlers to stay in the game too. So, it is a good cricketing wicket. We have seen in the past few matches here that the game went the distance. It was a hard grind. Something we as a team enjoy doing.” improved now. These guys are young. These are the people who will take the team forward.”
In the pace department, Jasprit Bumrah is set for his home debut after playing 17 Tests. Mohammed Siraj, India’s highest wicket-taker in the Australia tour, is vying for the other spot along with the veteran Ishant Sharma who is three short of 100 Tests and missed the Australia tour due to injury. Sharma played in last month’s T20 competition, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, after recovering from a rib injury but his last Test was in February, 2020 against New Zealand. On Thursday, England batting coach Jonathan Trott had spoken about scoring big in the first innings. On that front, despite the presence of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer along with spin duo Dom Bess and Jack Leach, the Indian batting looks a settled unit with Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Kohli, Pujara and Rahane. And Rishabh Pant for whom, Kohli said, this would be a chance to build on the gains from Australia.