We Wanted First-Class Games But That’s Not Been Given: Virat Kohli On India's Preparation Ahead Of The England Test Series
Published - 24 Jun 2021, 11:36 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:48 AM
Team India suffered a soul-crushing defeat in the ICC World Test Championship final against New Zealand at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.
The highly disciplined and relentless New Zealand seam-bowling attack proved to be the reason behind India’s demise as their batters faltered to put up a competitive score in both innings.
Kohli’s men were bowled out for 217 in their first innings and they followed it up with an even poor display of batting by managing a mere 170 runs in their second essay.
While there are a lot of reasons behind the chastening defeat, one of them is the lack of preparation and game-time leading into the marquee encounter.
While New Zealand was battle-hardened by playing a couple of high-quality Tests against England leading into the final, Virat Kohli’s team played just one intra-squad game.
The Virat Kohli-led unit is likely to face a similar issue ahead of the upcoming five-match Test series against England, starting August 04.
Skipper Kohli was asked in the presser after the World Test Championship final whether Team India will play any practice game ahead of the Test series.
Virat revealed that the management had requested First-Class games ahead of the Test series but their request has been denied for reasons he didn’t reveal.
As it turns out, Kohli’s men will play another intra-squad game before the first Test gets underway in Nottingham from August 04.
“That doesn’t depend on us. We wanted first-class games but that’s not been given, I don’t know the reason. We have ample time for the first Test, we should be ready for it,” revealed Virat Kohli in the post-match presser.
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