ENG vs IND 2018: Mohammed Shami Defends Virat Kohli's Chop And Change Policy
Mohammed Shami, on Tuesday, came out in defence of skipper Virat Kohli for his policy of constantly chopping with the playing eleven in Tests.
Virat Kohli has exceeded all the expectations as skipper of the Test side. There were huge apprehensions over how he would fare as the leader when he replaced the legendary MS Dhoni. But Kohli has created his own legacy and is well on his way to become one of India’s most successful captains.
Kohli began his captaincy career by leading the team to a historic series win in Sri Lanka in 2015. After that, India defeated South Africa, New Zealand, England, Bangladesh, West Indies, Australia and Sri Lanka to rise to the top of Test rankings. The team completely blew away oppositions at home.
Earlier this year, Kohli & Co. won a Test in South Africa too although they lost the series 2-1. The Kohli-led side recently thrashed England at Trent Bridge by 203 runs in the ongoing series. And one of the constant feature of the Kohli-era has been the captain’s decision to play with a different playing in every game.
India played their 38th combination in as many Test matches under Kohli at the Trent Bridge Test. The move has not attracted much criticism because of the good results. However, it did when India lost at Lord’s after dropping Umesh Yadav for Kuldeep Yadav on a pacer-friendly wicket. At the same time, many feel that constantly dropping and including players would affect their confidence.
However, Shami has defended his skipper. The pacer said that Kohli’s chop and change policy has given the players time to recover.
“We have such a bench strength that is so strong that we can change if we want to. Even if we don’t change, we have such players that can bowl long spells in this format. But this chop and change policy is good (for the pace attack) because it allows us time to recover. So we have Test bowlers to play Test cricket and those who have ODI skills are playing shorter formats as well, to help raise the levels there,” he said on the eve of the fourth Test.
Shami further said India’s pace department is enjoying the compliments that are flowing their way due to their brilliant performances this year. No matter what the results have been this year, the pacers have rarely disappointed. Even in the ongoing series, they have taken 38 of the 46 wickets. In the last Test, the pacers had accounted for 19 wickets.
Following the game, head coach Ravi Shastri had termed this attack as the best India has ever had by a mile.
“We are seeing such an Indian bowling unit after a long time. When this is talked about, we also feel happy and enjoy our job. It is good for our country (Indian cricket) that we have got such an attack after a long time and if you compare one on one (with England or any other opponent), we have better bowlers. So when we hear this (praise), it feels very good and takes our confidence sky high.”
The best part about the attack he feels is that each one is capable of bowling any delivery.
“The pace attack we have, we can bowl any delivery. You take Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav whoever the bowler may be, we can do that (attack and contain).
“It is good for us that we have so many options and we can evaluate which bowler is feeling better (confident). So we can pick options (accordingly) that this bowler should open the bowling or another bowler should do it. It depends on the fast bowling unit who wants to start,” he reckoned.
Well, Shami & Co. will be looking to deliver once again in the fourth England vs India Test as India look to level the series 2-2. Virat Kohli & Co. had won the last Test by 203 runs and will be keen to make the most of the momentum.
