Gregg Chappell: The Oval from all of my experience is going to have bounce and it will suit Virat
The Australian legendary cricketer Greg Chappell feels that the Oval conditions will suit the star Indian batter Virat Kohli as the Indian team gets ready to play Australia in the 2023 World Test Championship final while India will play in their second consecutive WTC final in less than three days.
The Australian legendary cricketer Greg Chappell feels that the Oval conditions will suit the star Indian batter Virat Kohli as the Indian team gets ready to play Australia in the 2023 World Test Championship final.
India will play in their second consecutive WTC final in less than three days. The last time, despite a valiant effort, they lost out on the chance to defeat New Zealand and win the championship.
Last time, Kyle Jamieson’s aggressive bowling approach beat former Indian captain Virat Kohli, who came close but fell short of expectations. At Southampton, England’s Rose Bowl Stadium, he scored 57 runs in both innings.
However, this time he will look to turn things around at a different time, a different venue and with a reignited form.
This time the match will take place at the Oval, London and according to Chappell, Kohli may benefit from the conditions because Australian bowlers are unable to take advantage of them like English bowlers can, and he will score runs for his team.
While speaking in the Backstage with Boria show on Revsportz, Chappell said,
“Virat Kohli was asked a lot of questions in England in 2014 and 2021 by Anderson, Broad and the rest of the English bowlers. They bowled some excellent lines and lengths to him in conditions that suited them. They knew he is the best and lifted themselves up when bowling to him. To think or say that the Australians will be able to do the same from ball one is not correct. The English know their own conditions better than anyone else in the world. And Virat loves to bat against the Australians. We have seen that in Australia. His record is evidence how good he is. He loves a contest and is never one to back off from one.”
“The Oval from all of my experience is going to have bounce and it will suit Virat. You have said to me that the weather has stayed dry so far. If the weather continues to stay dry the Oval is as close to an Australian wicket in England as you will ever get. And that will suit Virat. I think if he is mentally switched on like I have said to you earlier in the conversation, he will get runs for India. He is a very good player and someone who can make a telling difference.”
The former Australian cricketer continued by discussing Rohit’s performance and whether his IPL form might have an effect on his WTC performance.
Rohit did do a little bit better than he did in IPL 2022. He scored more runs (332) than he did in the IPL 2022 (268 runs).
However, Rohit’s failure to extend his innings into a higher score was the main issue with his batting form that gained attention.
The Indian captain frequently had good timing with the ball and could find the gaps, but he was unable to register a big knock.
However, Chappell feels that his IPL form should not impact his WTC performance, it is all about the way Rohit feels.
“Coming to Rohit yes I totally agree the IPL is different. The weather, the conditions, the format, everything is different. And it is not about what you or I or anyone else feels about his form. It is all about what Rohit feels. Does he have any self doubt? Or he is feeling good about going out there and batting? If he is in a good zone as he steps out there is no question he will bat well. Yes questions will be asked of him by good bowlers bowling good balls but that’s no different for Rohit compared to any other batter. If he is in a good mind space IPL form will not matter in this Test match,”
Chappell added.