NEWS
Follow UsPremier India batter Virat Kohli was undone by spin on both occasions in the Pune Test, adding to the growing concerns over his weakness against the tweakers. India's batting failed miserably in Pune, as Mitchell Santner claimed 13 wickets in the match to lead his side to a historic 113-run win. With that, the Blackcaps also won their first-ever series in India.
Former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull believes that while Santner exposed the Indian batters, Kohli's form is not much of a concern, heading into the third Test in Mumbai, and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after that.
“There’re issues against spin, but he’s not the only one. You’re not going to find those [spin-friendly] conditions in Australia. He [Kohli] had a great series Down Under," Doull told PTI.
“He plays quick bowling as well as he has for the last four or five years. So, I don’t think it’s a concern,” he added.
Speaking of India's batting performance in Pune, Doull said, “There’s a misconception that Indian players are better players of spin. I think they’ve had better spinners, and they’ve been able to expose the opposition batters. But in this Test [in Pune], their batters were exposed a little bit by a very, very good performance from Mitchell Santner."
Doull believes a good performance in the third Test in Mumbai would be the perfect way for India to regain their form heading into the five-match Test series against Australia. “They have to forget about this series," Doull, who has 98 wickets from 32 Tests for New Zealand, said.
"They could go out and win the third Test in Wankhede and go to Australia with a little bit more confidence. In Australia, quick bowlers will be required. India batters, I think, will be a lot better off on good surfaces. That’s what you tend to get in Australia.”
Doull said India has good enough players to tackle the Australian challenge.
“It’ll come down to how they play the quick bowlers from Australia – the tall, slightly bouncier bowlers. But they’ve got the batters to do the job, I think, in good conditions.
“And if later on in the Test matches, whether it be in Perth or whether it be in Sydney, it starts to turn and bounce a little bit, then their spinners will come into play.”
New Zealand became the first team in 12 years to win a Test series in India. The former pacer also called New Zealand's series win over India one of their greatest moments.
“I think it’s one of the greatest moments in New Zealand cricket history. Teams don’t come here and beat India once, let alone twice. And for a New Zealand team to do it without one of their star batters – Kane Williamson – it’s just a phenomenal performance,” he said.
India and New Zealand will clash in the third and final Test of the series in Mumbai, starting November 1. A win there will see India continue to have a stronghold in the World Test Championship (WTC) table, where they are currently on top.
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