No Separate Strategy in Place For England Tour: Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli, on Friday (June 22), somewhat insisted Team India will not travel to England with a different mindset and won’t even treat the upcoming series differently.

The last two tours to England were nothing less than a nightmare for India.

Way back in 2011, India had gone to England as world number one Test side. However, the ranking and reputation made little difference as England inflicted a humiliating 4-0 whitewash upon the then Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led side.

Moreover, the fortunes remained the same in limited-overs format too. England won the One-off Twenty20 International and the five-match One-day International series 3-0.

Interestingly, three years later, the margin of the defeat decreased but there was no end to India’s misery as England thrashed them 3-1 in the Test series.

India finally had something to laugh about as they won the ODI series 3-1 before losing the One-off T20I.

But despite the dismal outings on the last two tours, Kohli made it clear that the team has not made any separate strategy for the upcoming tour.

Furthermore, ahead of departing for Ireland tour for the two-T20I series, Kohli asserted team will take to field just with the mindset of winning the game.

“The strategy is same that we had for the South Africa tour, the series against Sri Lanka. Strategy does not change. Our mindset does not change based on performance in just one series. This is something for those who lack patience.  We have never felt the need of doing something different.  We will play with a mindset to win the game,” he said.

Head coach Ravi Shastri also echoed Kohli’s sentiments, saying:

“We don’t change strategy just because we are playing another opposition. We would just like to improve on out basics.  Our aim is to strive for consistency.  The last tour of South Africa was good. The emphasis will be to try and repeat that kind of consistency.”

India will play two T20Is in Ireland, starting June 27 before leaving for England. Virat Kohli & Co. will be playing three T20Is, three ODIs and five Tests against England.