England draw up plans to contain Indian skipper Kohli in third Test
mohali — Going into the third Test here after their loss in the previous tie, England bowlers are wary of Indian skipper Virat Kohli’s form and have come up with plans to get him out early knowing well that he tends to get a big score once he is well set.
India scripted a resounding 246-run win over England in the second cricket Test to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. While skipper Virat Kohli’s aggregate of 248 runs (167 and 81) laid the cornerstone of victory, the contribution of India’s premier all-rounder Ashwin (52 runs and match figures of 8/119) was equally significant.
England all-rounder Chris Woakes, who impressed with his bowling in the opening Test, felt that it was crucial to dismiss Kohli early on. Speaking about MOHALI — India coach Anil Kumble on Thursday categorically dismissed allegations of ball tampering levelled against skipper Virat Kohli by the British media, stating that he does not believe in “giving wind to such stories”.
“First of all, I don’t want to react to any report that is there in the media. As far as I am concerned, Kohli’s performance in the previous Test, Woakes said, “Kohli scored lot of those runs, Pujara has also scored. Kohli has scored majority of runs, particularly in that second Test match. So, we are going to have plans to him to try and stop him scoring... Once he gets in, it’s hard to get him neither the umpire nor the match referee ever came to us talking about it. We would certainly not like to give too much wind to the story,” Kumble told mediapersons today clarifying his and the team’s stand in the matter. The legendary spinner said that he was not at all perturbed by what the British media has reported. out.” Despite the humiliating loss, Woakes felt that all was not lost and England have a good chance to bounce back. “I feel that the teams are fairly evenly matched,” he said, at the same time acknowledging that India were playing in their home conditions.