Test of character
FORMER INDIA COACH KIRSTEN FEELS ENGLAND WILL BE DIFFERENT KETTLE OF FISH AT HOME
Key to Kohli’s success in England depends on his handling of Anderson & Broad, his tormentors in 2014, feels Kirsten |
The key to Indian team’s performance in the Test series against England lies in the way Virat Kohli’s men tackle James Anderson and Stuart Broad, felt former India coach Gary Kirsten.
Anderson and Broad were the pioneers behind England’s comeback 3-1 series win in 2014 after the visitors had taken a 1-0 lead with victory in the second Test at Lords. The first Test in Nottingham had ended in a draw. England won the third Test by 299 runs and the fourth and fifth in more authoritative fashion. by a innings and 54 runs in Manchester and an innings and 244 runs at The Oval.
Anderson, in five matches, had his best series haul of 25 scalps including a five-wicket haul (5/53) in the first innings of the third Test. It was also Anderson’s best performance in any Test series. Broad, in five matches, claimed 19 wickets with his best 6 for 25 coming in the first innings of the fourth Test.
“England will be a different kettle of fish at home and they will swing the ball. Anderson and Broad will be very effective in England. If they can overcome that, then potentially they will have a good tournament,” asserted Kirsten, who despite India’s series loss against South Africa earlier this year, was impressed with the way they went about their business.
“I thought the Indian team, although they didn’t win the series in South Africa, had a very strong series. If you take the whole tour they won the ODIs easy,” said India’s 2011 World Cup winning coach during a trip here to launch his own academy in partnership with Abu Dhabi Cricket.
Ahead of that absorbing tour of South Africa, Kohli and his team had gone in with little or no acclimatisation. They even cancelled a two-day practice match ahead of the first Test and were criticised heavily for their lack of planning.
This time round, however, Kohli and team India are keen to get their record straight in English conditions where India has recorded just three Test victories since 1986.
Kohli determined
The skipper is all the more determined, as during the last tour he averaged a disappointing 13.40, which is below his career batting average of 53.40 from 66 Tests. India is scheduled to play a historic Test against Afghanistan, but Kohli has decided to give that match a skip to fulfil his county commitment with Surrey. There have been mixed reactions to that move from Kohli, but the skipper is unfazed as his prime focus is the England Tour. “Strategically, he (Kohli) has done a good thing to sign a contract with Surrey for a month. To get acclimatised to the conditions, I think that is very smart. But he has three years more experience now from the last tour. It is a good call from other players too to be there. The more they play there. it is going to help,” said Kirsten, who backed Kohli to do well.
“That (2014 tour) is a thing of the past. We all know if Kohli is not the best cricketer in the world then he is close to the best. He is an incredible cricketer. It will be a different contest this time and will be great to watch,” felt Kirsten.
Speaking about South Africa’s 2019 World Cup chances, the coach said in reference to their history of peaking early and then choking: “Perhaps, they should do the wrong things in the build-up and get the luck in the tournament because I believe they will have a great team for the World Cup. I have always maintained you make your own luck. Teams that are losing are often unlucky and teams that win don’t talk about luck,” added Kirsten.
Anderson and Broad will be very effective in England. If they can overcome that, then potentially they will have a good tournament.” Gary Kirsten » Former India coach