Legendary batsman Geoffrey Boycott feels that India will miss Virat Kohli more than Rohit Sharma in Test series against England, and the Test retirement of the two players will hurt the team’s prospects.
“Their retirement hurts the chances of India beating England. Kohli is the biggest loss as he has been their best batsman and talisman in all three formats,” Boycott wrote in his column. “With so much international cricket played by India, and so little rest, it takes its toll and the mind becomes fatigued. It does not matter how much talent or experience you have, if you are not mentally fresh and up for the challenge then it becomes draining,” said Boycott.
He said that though Rohit was a superb batsman, his Test record was good rather than exceptional. “Rohit was never a natural athlete like Kohli. I just think that over time the wear and tear of opening the innings and being captain in all three formats wore him down,” Boycott maintained.
While India had last won a Test series in England way back in 2007, England join the series after defeating Zimbabwe in a one-off Test at Trent Bridge last month.
Suggesting that England should temper their Bazball style of batting, Boycott said, “England should beat India if they temper Bazball and use some common sense. At times their cricket has been thrilling and super enjoyable, but also reckless batting has lost them Test matches. Their only thought should be winning because it is no use telling us how good you are when the last three World Test Championship finals have been played in our country, but England have not qualified for any of them. They should be embarrassed. Their aim should be to make the next WTC final.”
Cautioning England against getting complacent and overconfident, Boycott said, “It doesn’t seem to make any difference that so many top-class ex-England Test players keep telling them to moderate their batting. So please, get your act together, bring your best game and apply some cricket nous.”
Follow us
