Virat Kohli was confident that the Indian side would not back down if they were challenged by the opponent. Kohli’s remarks on the day of the Headingley Test, the 3rd of the five-match Pataudi Trophy, came in the wake of the 2 sides’ heated arguments at Lord’s during the 2nd match. Here is Virat Kohli About Eng vs Ind 3rd Test
Virat Kohli About Eng vs Ind 3rd Test
“This team won’t take a backward step when provoked. We play together, we play to win,” Kohli said.
On day four, Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah was embroiled in a furious argument with England’s Mark Wood and Jos Buttler, while Kohli was engaged in a heated argument with James Anderson. When asked what had prompted him, he opted not to elaborate.
“Can’t give you the details of the words that were spoken. What happens on the field gives you extra motivation. These things happen but I don’t think the details need to be discussed later,” he said.
I thought there would be more grass and spice: Virat Kohli
In both Tests so far, India has used a 4:1 pace-spin approach. Shardul Thakur, who took 4 wickets in the first match of the series at Trent Bridge before missed the second at Lord’s due to a hamstring problem, is healthy and ready to play. Kohli, on the other hand, suggested that the starting lineup will remain the same.
“We don’t have any reason to change anything unless people have niggles, which we haven’t encountered. A winning combination, you don’t want to disturb. Especially after the second Test and players are even more excited to take the field,” he said.
This may imply additional bench time with Ravichandran Ashwin, who has thus far been overshadowed by Ravindra Jadeja in India’s lineup. With 4 left-handed batsmen in England’s XI at Headingley – Dawid Malan, Rory Burns, Sam Curran, and Moeen Ali – India may be inclined to deploy Ashwin, who thrives against a wide range of hitters in Test cricket. Kohli did not completely eliminate the possibility of Ashwin participating in Leeds.
“As far as Ashwin playing is concerned, we were surprised to see the surface at Lord’s. I didn’t expect, I thought there would be more grass and spice. Anything is possible, we name a 12, and then according to conditions we pick,” Virat Kohli said in a press conference.
Also read: Shastri Won’t Mind Kohli Exchanging Words With Anderson: Nasser
