NZ vs IND Test | Mohinder Amarnath backs Kohli to come good

In New Zealand, you have to play the way Rahane does, says the veteran

February 28, 2020 09:07 pm | Updated 09:12 pm IST - NEW DELHI

Virat Kohli. File.

Virat Kohli. File.

One of India’s finest batsmen, Mohinder Amarnath hoped Virat Kohl i would come good in the second Test against New Zealand starting on Saturday in Christchurch. Kohli has aggregated a mere 201 runs in nine innings across all formats with just one half- century.

“It is not that they have not played there. They have done well earlier but the difference here is that Virat has not performed,” said Amarnath, in town on a private visit. Another reason, he emphasised, was the absence of K. L. Rahul from the team. “Rahul has done well. He’s been the man in form. And you have to play the man in form. I am surprised he is not playing in Tests in this series. He would have been better than trying someone out.

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“If you see India’s performance overseas in the last two years Virat has been the key. Sometimes luck doesn’t favour you. But I’m sure he’ll come good in the second Test. He’s a great player. He has the technique to shine in all conditions. All great players adjust themselves very quickly and Virat knows what he is supposed to. He won’t fail in too many innings.”

Amarnath, who excelled in testing conditions away from home, insisted there was a technical aspect too. “The technique of Indian batsmen is good on harder pitches. Or on Indian pitches where the ball is not doing much in the air or off the surface. In New Zealand, you have to play the way Ajinkya (Rahane) does. I really like the way he bats. You have to play very tight and with soft hands, especially when you are defending.”

Soft hands

In Amarnath’s opinion, the batsmen were, “jabbing” at the ball. “When the ball takes an edge it carries. Not the case when you play with soft hands. When you play tight you may miss connecting those deliveries. The technical aspect of batting has been the reason for the failure in this Test. You have to adjust. You can’t play in your flamboyant style even if it is your natural game.”

Bounce, he noted, was not the problem. “You can cope with the bounce. It’s the seam movement and the swing where the technique comes into play. You have to be there all the time and concentrate hard. Not that they don’t do but the shortcomings show obviously. The bat is mostly away from the body. If the ball seams and swings in the second Test, too, the it will be a tough test for the Indians.”

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