India vs England: Need to perform in tough conditions as a batting unit, says Virat Kohli | Cricket News – Times of India

In his decorated career, Indian captain Virat Kohli has rarely hit a slump that has lasted longer than just a series. The 2014 series in England where he was repeatedly nicked off by James Anderson can be called as his worst, not just for the poor returns but more for the predictability of his dismissals. He overcame that with a Bradmanesque tour of Australia barely four months later and for a good five years, was one of the preeminent batsman in the world.
Since January 2020 though, things have been difficult. In nine Tests, he has scored just 345 runs. His average has been a disappointing 23. It’s fair to say his bat has been silent.
He hasn’t been quiet, though. Kohli has had a lot to say about intent and the need to score, thereby hinting at his two other established colleagues in the middle-order Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, especially after the loss to New Zealand in the World Test Championship final in Southampton in June.
While their numbers aren’t great either (Rahane has 540 runs from 12 games averaging 27 while Pujara has 543 runs in 12 games averaging 25.85), they played key roles in a massive series win in Australia.
Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar had told TOI before the series that there seems to be a campaign to destabilise both Rahane and Pujara by talking about intent and scoring rates.
In an about turn of sorts, Kohli had stressed on the need for people to leave Pujara alone before the start of the first Test. On the eve of the second, at Lord’s, on Wednesday, he was batting for his deputy, Rahane.
“I do not think that (Rahane’s form) is an area of concern. Our focus is not to think about where people are individually now. It is about collectively how much strength they bring into the team. As a batting unit, we are looking to perform in difficult conditions, so that we are in winning positions and someone is going to put their hand up every game.”
The skipper also gave a thumbs up to his catching skills in the close-in cordon. Rahane is three catches away from becoming just the sixth Indian to achieve the landmark of a 100 Test catches.
“He is the best slipper in the team, especially against spin. He works very hard on his catching too and 100 catches will be a great achievement and I am sure, he will take a lot more,” he assured.
‘India to blame for points penalty’
Virat Kohli said his team had no one to blame but themselves after both they and England were docked two World Test Championship (WTC) points each for maintaining a slow over-rate in the first Test. Both teams were fined 40% of their match fee too.
“We have to keep up to speed with the pace of the game…small little things where we can save 10 to 15 seconds is something that really matters. We practised that in the second innings and we were able to cover up three or four overs. You don’t want to be that far behind in the game that you are not able to cover your overs in time,” said Kohli. “The points are very, very crucial.”