Published: Aug 08, 2018, 08:48 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 08, 2018, 08:48 PM (IST)
Indian skipper Virat Kohli hinted that the team management could play two spinners at Lord’s against England in the second Test of the five-match series starting August 9.
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During the pre-match presser Kohli said he is tempted to field two spinners looking at the pitch, “The pitch is going to be an allround wicket. If the batsman bat well then can get runs,”said Kohli adding. “Seamers obviously are going to come in to play with the Dukes ball in overcast conditions, and as in when the wicket wears off spinners can also come into play, so yes, it is a tempting thought to field two spinners.”
This could mean either Ravindra Jadeja or Kuldeep Yadav can make it to the playing XI at the expense of one of the fast bowlers or allrounder Hardik Pandya.
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The skipper had a look at the pitch and his first impression was that the surface is dry. “The pitch here looked really hard, surface looked dry, it has been very hot in London last couple of months – so good grass cover on it needed.”
READ: Don’t support individuals, support Team India: Virat Kohli to fans
But, Kohli also mentioned that the decision of playing two spinners will depend on the team balance. “Then again we have to take a call on that depending on the team balance, but definitely it is contention,” said Kohli
When asked if it hurt more that India lost after his lion-hearted effort (149 and 51), Kohli begged to differ.
“It doesn’t only hurt when you score runs and you don’t win but it also hurts when you are not scoring runs as well and the team is not doing well.
“It is not like I feel bad that I got runs and we couldn’t get across the line. It is purely because we haven’t won the games. If I hadn’t got the runs and we had won, I would have got a totally different feeling. It is a very natural aspect of playing team sport.”
