Childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma has rushed to Virat Kohli’s defence after James Anderson had kick-started a controversy during the fourth Test at the Wankhede Stadium. In response to those sore comments on the Indian captain’s technique, he did not mince any words and lashed out at the England seamer.
Speaking to ANI, Kohli’s coach used Anderson’s own theory by enquiring about his performances on Indian pitches but refrained from terming India’s series victory over England as a revenge.
Rajkumar declared, “I would say one thing. What he (Anderson) has done on Indian wickets? He is a great bowler but he should also have done well on Indian wicket. If you are playing in England and taking wickets, that doesn’t make you a great bowler. You have to perform well in India also. You need to take wickets here also before speaking anything about Virat. And the way Virat has treated him, he went wicket-less in the last match. How can he say so many things to somebody who is doing so well?”
He added, “If he would have got him out and then he would have said something like this, I would have accepted it. But at the same time, I question his performance on Indian tracks, what he has done on the Indian tracks.”
Although Anderson has had a woeful series with just 4 wickets from 3 matches thus far at an average of 53.50, his overall record in India still stands at a respectable 26 scalps from 10 Tests at an average of 33.46. Pertinently, he played a key role in England’s historic 2012 series victory on Indian soil with 12 wickets from 4 matches at 30.25. Even the then Indian skipper MS Dhoni had termed him as the difference between the two teams.
During this series, England won the toss in Mumbai and rode on the back of Keaton Jennings’ debut ton to reach 400 in the first innings. But, it did not turn out to be enough as Kohli led India’s reply with a 340-ball 235. Ably assisted by centurions Murali Vijay and Jayant Yadav, the skipper propelled his side to a 231-run advantage.
At the end of the fourth day’s play, Anderson was asked about the difference in Kohli’s technique from his wretched England tour of 2014. But, the seasoned campaigner claimed that Indian pitches tend to hide the star batsman’s flaws.
When the fifth day began, talisman off-spinner and proposed vice-captain Ravichandran Ashwin greeted Anderson with a barrage of words. Soon, his teammates also joined in on the action which threatened to escalate quickly. Interestingly, Kohli was seen playing the role of peacemaker even as the umpires intervened to put an end to the incident.
‘Won’t call it revenge’
Eventually, Ashwin had the last laugh by dismissing Anderson and sealing India’s innings victory which gave them an unassailable 3-0 lead too. After three successive series losses to England, India had broken the stranglehold to clinch the series with one game left.
Rajkumar insisted, “It was a comprehensive victory. We have defeated England badly and squarely in all three departments of the game. It was badly required as we had lost earlier two series against them. So, I won’t call it revenge but it is a very sweet victory for India.”
The final Test of the series is scheduled to be held at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai from the 16th.
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