Not familiarity with Bangalore pitch but good execution will be my trump card, says Virat Kohli
Indian Test captain Virat Kohli has not conceded that his personal familiarity with the pitch at M Chinnaswamy stadium will be the trump card. Instead, it will be the execution that will see his team home. Chinnaswamy is as much his home ground as the Feroz Shah Kotla because of his Indian Premier League (IPL) stint with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
However, the 27-year old dismissed that knowledge of the pitch is going to be any advantage, seeing that AB de Villers from the opposition also knows the pitch quite well. The South African is also part of the RCB franchise.
“Knowing the conditions a little better helps, but you still have to play good cricket and execute plans. That will be needed here as well. A few of their players also know the conditions well, so I don't think that will make too much of a difference in this game,” he said to The Times of India.
When asked if the conditions affect tactics, he explained, “It does play a part, especially when you might not have full game time. It does bring about a few changes as far as the team combination is concerned. The team management and I have spoken about it. We will make the changes according to the conditions and what the weather looks like in the next few days. It is important to keep all the factors in mind before picking a squad.”
Mohali was a rank turner that assisted spinners. While Bengaluru may not be as vicious, but it will still favour spinners.
Therefore, when asked what role the seamers have to play, Kohli said, “In Mohali, the fast bowlers bowled about 20 overs in total. But they were pretty important in the course of the game and played their roles perfectly . If the 20 overs go for 100 runs then you are not in a position to win a Test match. It is important for the three guys bowling most of the overs to have two guys coming after them to maintain the same momentum and control the run-rate.”
India’s most experienced pacer Ishant Sharma will return to the squad after serving his one-match ban that he earned in Sri Lanka. The young captain is thrilled to have him back.
“Ishant brings in a lot of experience. He's bowled well in sub-continental conditions, knows how to reverse swing the ball and can lead the pace attack. I'm delighted that he is back.The way he is bowling and the way he bowled in Sri Lanka brings a lot to the table,” Kohli concluded.