Australia’s limited-overs skipper Aaron Finch has advised his teammates to not get into a verbal confrontation with Indian skipper Virat Kohli during the upcoming “Border Gavaskar” first Test match.
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Aaron Finch’s advice to the Australians
Finch, in a recent interview, opined that Australians should adopt a measured and balanced method while dealing with Virat Kohli in the first Test at Adelaide. India and Australia will face each other for the pink-ball Test on December 17 2:30 PM IST.
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“I think the change is in the way he (Kohli) goes about it now. I think as a person he is probably a bit more relaxed out on the field and understands the tempo of the game,” Said Finch, in an interview, with The Sydney Morning Herald.
“I think there will be times when things boil over and when you have got strong characters on either team that’s going to come to a head at some point. (But) there is a fine balance there, isn’t there? You don’t want him to get up and about in the contest. When he does, he can be ruthless on an opposition,” he said.
”Sledging won’t work in front of Kohli”, says Steve Waugh
Former Australian skipper Steve Waugh also handed a similar suggestion to Tim Paine while handling Virat Kohli in the Test match. Waugh warned the Aussies that Virat Kohli might seek motivation from all the sledging he faces.
“Sledging is not going to worry Virat Kohli; it doesn’t work against the great players and you’re better off leaving those guys alone. I think any extra motivation will make them dig in more and get more runs. So, you’re better off not saying much to him,” Waugh had said in a video posted on ESPNcricinfo.
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”No Room For Abuses”; head coach Justin Langer
Earlier, Australian head coach Justin Langer insisted that his side won’t indulge into any verbal abuses against the Indians in the upcoming test. He stated that there can be loads of banter but there is no room for below the belt sledging in his dressing room.
“In terms of the current Australian players, anyone who has watched our cricket (for the last) couple of years, we have talked about our behaviour on and off the field. There is no room for abuses and plenty of room for banter and having fun and having competitive instinct. I have always thought that, as a player and as a coach. I think it is healthy. We’ll see great cricketers go up against each other,” said Langer last month.
