IND v ENG day/night pink-ball Test: Kohli says pacers will also have big roles as spinners
Ahead of the upcoming day/night pink-ball Test between India and England, Virat Kohli rejected the idea that the visitors will have an edge if the pitch at Motera Stadium favours the pacers.
A rank turner is being anticipated at Motera Stadium but Indian skipper, Virat Kohli says that pacers have the same big roles as spinners in the day/night of the third Test against England, a side pierced with weakness according to him.
As of yet, both teams have won a single match in a four-match Test series, the third Test match that is starting from Wednesday has increased the talking about the nature of attack at the brand new Motera Stadium.
Asked if the ball is unlikely to swing in the third Test, Kohli replied that the pacers will be in the game as long as the ball is nice and shiny.
“I don’t think that is an accurate assessment (that bowl will not swing). The pink ball does tend to swing a lot more than the red ball. We experienced that when we played for the first time in 2019 [against Bangladesh],”
said Virat Kohli in a pre-match press conference.
Talking about the day/night Test, Kohli rejected the idea that the visitors will and if the pitch favours the pacers.
“Not bothered about what the strengths and weaknesses of the English team are. We have beaten them in their home as well, where the ball does way more and hold them out every time so we’re not bothered with that. It’s just about playing well as a team,” he said.
“And yeah, there are many, many weaknesses in the opposition side as well, if you are keen to exploit them. If it’s a seamer-friendly track for them it’s for us as well.”
Both the teams will go into the third game anonymously because the pink ball is known for favouring the pacers but it is yet to be seen how much it will help the spinners which are considered the strength of India at home conditions.
Senior Indian batsman Rohit Sharma already said that the pitch will be offering more turn while Kohli said that facing a pink ball will be more challenging as compared to the red ball irrespective of the nature of the surface.
“It is much more challenging to play with a pink ball regardless of the pitch you play on. Especially in the evening, if as a batting team, you are starting your innings under lights then that one and a half hour is very challenging.”
On the other hand, Ishant Sharma is on the verge of becoming the second Indian pacer to play 100 Test matches and skipper Kohli is warmed up in his applause.
Virat Kohli opened up about his relationship with Sharma and even narrated an incident from when the bowler got his first call-up for the national team.
He further said that Ishant and I started playing state cricket together and we used to be roommates for a long time.
Kohli also told about the incident when Ishant got selection for the national team and he was sleeping in the afternoon. So, he kicked him up to tell the news. That is how far their relationship has gone.
He applauded the veteran Indian pacer that it is very hard to maintain fitness and show consistency in the longest format of the game as Ishant has shown.
Ishant Sharma can also play the limited-overs game but he has prioritized the longest format for his country and we are looking forward to him to deliver something magical in the 100th Test match at Motera Stadium.
