Kolkata: More than the upcoming second Test between India and New Zealand starting here Friday, the hosts’ skipper’s comments on the use of DRS in future, hogged the limelight. India and the BCCI have been a staunch opponent of the use of DRS technology for the last five years. However, Kohli said Thursday that India may consider the use of DRS in the near future.
“We have had discussions on this. Certainly we will look to introduce it in future. We won’t take decisions too hard because we, in the first place, decided that we will not use DRS,” Kohli stated.
As far as the match is concerned, India will definitely aim to continue their dominance over the Kiwis when the match gets underway. here Friday. The New Zealanders are in a spot of bother with skipper Kane Williamson not reporting for practice with a stomach bug and if he has to sit out, it certainly will be ‘surgical strike’ for them.
The Indians have a worry too with spin ace Ravi Ashwin suffering from a painful corn on the middle finger of his bowling arm. The off-spinner did not bowl at all in the nets Thursday and was more intent on chatting with coach Anil Kumble before having a brief batting stint. If he fails to play, it will no doubt throw a huge spanner in Indian plans. A replacement is on hand in the form of Haryana offie Jayant Yadav, but then at the moment there can’t be any comparisons between him and Ashwin.
The other thing worrying the Indians is Kohli’s form. Since getting his maiden Test double hundred against the West Indies, the skipper has totalled just 78 in five innings, but then according to many it is just a matter of time before he gets back his scoring act. “He is too good a batsman to miss out for long,” stated former India batsman VVS Laxman, who is here to attend the 250th Test at the Eden Gardens as CAB’s guest.
The Eden pitch looks to be one which will definitely have something for the pacers on the opening two days before assisting the spinners. Amid such conditions the probability is high that India may go into the game with five bowlers. In that case Amit Mishra will be back in the playing XI with either Cheteshwar Pujara or Ajinkya Rahane pushed up the order to accompany Murali Vijay.
For New Zealand, the most likely change will be Jeetan Patel who will replace the injured Mark Craig. The player of Indian-origin arrived here Thursday morning and was seen rolling his arm over at the nets for an extensive period.
“We have not decided on the playing XI yet, because of Williamson’s condition, but we are quite certain about including Patel in the XI,” Kiwi deputy skipper Tom Latham told reporters here. “He’s been in good form in the English county and will be very handy option for us.”
Agencies
