IND vs ENG 1st Test: Virat Kohli confirms, 4 seam bowlers could become template: Indian skipper Virat Kohli deliberated on India’s strategy that the visitors would deploy in the remaining matches of the 5-match Test series against England overseas. The inclusion of four pacers in India’s squad- that gave one of their fine performances to wrap up England especially in the first innings will remain India’s significant plan in the series going forward. Although rain on the final day at Trent Bridge denied India an opportunity to win, the 2nd Test at Lord’s starting from August 12 could see a similar line-up.
“I think they did a tremendous job with the bat. Most likely it will be a template going ahead [4-1 combination], but we’ve always been adaptable as well, to the conditions and pace of the wicket. It’s going to be an exciting series to be a part of, as India-England always is,” Virat Kohli said at the post-match presentation on Sunday.
Also Read: IND vs ENG 1st Test: India forced to draw 1st Test as rain robs Virat Kohli & Co a chance to win
IND vs ENG 1st Test: In the match, Indian seamers bagged all the wickets with Ravindra Jadeja bowling 16 overs in two innings combined without any yield. Amongst the pacers, Jasprit Bumrah was the most successful bagging 9 wickets in the match including a five-wicket haul in the 2nd innings.
However, India skipper Virat Kohli expressed disappointment after the first Test against England ended in a draw as Day five of the match was abandoned due to rain on Sunday. It was the first match of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 cycle.
“We were expecting rain on Day 3 and 4, and it chooses to arrive on day 5 when we were looking to have a good crack at the target. We wanted to start strong, and heading into day five we felt we had the chance right in front of the ball. We certainly felt we were right on top, and it’s a shame we couldn’t complete day five,” Virat Kohli said.
IND vs ENG 1st Test: India needed just 157 runs to win the first Test on day five but no play was possible due to rain. The visitors scored 52 runs after bundling out England in the third session on Saturday. Virat Kohli said the game on the final day wasn’t about survival as India wanted to go for the win on Sunday.
“We got to 50 overnight, a real positive for us. It wasn’t just about survival, it was about getting the boundaries when we got the chance,” said Kohli.
IND vs ENG 1st Test: Virat Kohli also praised India’s lower order for putting up a resilient display against the famed James Anderson-Stuart Broad pair. He said the bowlers have been having batting practice as it is crucial in away conditions.
“It’s the hard work of three-odd weeks (the lower-order batting). They were in the nets regularly, and we got a lead of 95 purely from their efforts,” Virat Kohli said.
