Rohit and Kohli’s return to form a matter of 25-30 deliveries, says Nayar
India’s assistant coach opens up on the low returns of the two experienced campaigners in the ongoing series against Australia.
A matter of concern for India in their push for retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia has been the recent form of senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
While the Indian skipper has amassed a mere 152 runs from his last 13 Test innings, Kohli’s hundred in Perth is only his second fifty-plus score in his last 15 Test innings.
Indian assistant coach Abhishek Nayar though thinks that the duo’s return to their best is a matter of regaining confidence and composure in the initial phase of their innings.
“I always believe it’s about having that confidence and getting off to a good start. If they get that, their game looks different. I believe both Rohit and Virat are the kind of players that if they face 25-30 deliveries, you’ll see them back in their usual form,” he said at the end of the first day’s play in Melbourne.
Nayar doubled down on Indian skipper Rohit Sharma’s comments ahead of the fourth Test, where he backed Virat Kohli to find his way back in form.
“Modern day greats will figure their path,” Rohit had said when inquired about Kohli’s string of dismissals nicking the ball outside off stump.
“As Rohit said, generally when you’re having a discussion with an experienced player, it’s around their focus and game plan. Every player has their weakness. They will get dismissed one way or another. The thought is behind making sure what kind of zone they need to make those runs,” Nayar added.
A change in India’s lineup for the Boxing-Day Test saw the exclusion of Shubman Gill as Rohit confirmed his own return to the top of the batting order.
India’s assistant coach explained the reason behind Gill being dropped was also to bolster their bowling attack.
“We felt in these conditions, looking at the pitch, having Washi (Washington Sundar) in the bowling attack will give us variations, especially towards the end once the ball gets old.
“That was an area we wanted to get better at. We felt that Washi could give us that solidity with Jaddu. Especially the way Travis Head and Alex Carey were getting the runs lower down the order.”
After opting to bat first, Australia pounded early runs at the MCG, courtesy of half-centuries from both the openers. Making his debut, Sam Konstas fired an impressive 60, that featured him taking the attack to India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.
While Nayar showered praise on the youngster for his debut outing, he commended the Indian bowlers for making a comeback in the latter half of the day, having managed six wickets by stumps.
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“A lot of credit to the way Sam played. The intent he showed in the first few overs sort of put us on the backfoot. But I felt it took a lot of character from our bowlers to stick in there,” Nayar said.
“It wasn't the easiest conditions to bowl, we felt. They were good to bat on. At times like that, it’s important to stick to your guns. I felt we came back really strong post-Lunch. Bowling those maidens, putting the pressure.
“At times like that, you are taken by surprise when someone plays a knock like that. But I felt we responded really well and through the day kept at it, and reaped the rewards towards the end. Overall, you look at the day, we were happy with where we ended.”