Srinagar: Former India cricketer and coach Ravi Shastri has called once again invoked the importance of Virat Kohli for India as Indian bowling attack struggled against England in the first Test at Headingley.
Shastri said India bowled better than the previous day but needed to stay focused and clear in their approach as Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley smashed India bowlers to set up an easy chase for England.
“India need someone to do a Kohli. Should be someone designated. Kohli could do it for 3 people. Get in the face,” Shastri said.
Shastri also urged India skipper Shubman Gill to maintain clarity in his field placements and demonstrate a proactive approach. “India bowled better than they did yesterday but they have to be patient,” Shastri told Sky Sports at lunch break. The ball didn’t seam as much as India would have hoped for and it didn’t swing enough, although the bounce was a little up and down,” he explained.
“I would like to see a long spell for Jadeja and the three seamers rotating from the Kirkstall Lane End,” he said.
He also touched upon India’s slightly reactive field placements under pressure, saying, “Gill followed the ball at times with his fields when you have to be clear-cut in your mindset and show you want to win, have catching fielders.”
With wickets being India’s only route to victory, Shastri emphasised the transformative potential of a breakthrough. “Once you get a couple of wickets, the game can turn on its head. Then the pressure goes on the opposition.”
England beat India by five wicket in the first Test.