“He’s got a big ego” – Ollie Robinson on Virat Kohli ahead of India Vs England Test Series.
As the highly anticipated five-match Test series against India looms on the horizon, England’s ace fast bowler, Ollie Robinson, has unveiled insights into their game plan to confront the formidable Indian team. The inaugural Test is slated to unfold at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Thursday, January 25, with the subsequent matches scheduled for Visakhapatnam, Rajkot, Ranchi, and Dharamshala.
England is meticulously formulating detailed plans, aiming for their bowlers to execute a diverse range of tactics with the objective of impeding Virat Kohli’s batting prowess and curtailing the Indian batter’s full potential on the field. Robinson has singled out Kohli’s significant ego, anticipating an impressive display from him in the upcoming series. Notably, the 30-year-old Englishman had successfully dismissed the flamboyant Indian batter three times during India’s 2021 tour of England. Robinson expresses optimism about replicating his success and securing crucial wickets in the upcoming tour.
Robinson to ESPNCricinfo said “You always want to play against the best players, don’t you? And you always want to get the best players out. Kohli is one of those. He’s got a big ego and I think playing on that, especially in India, where he is going to want to dominate and score runs, playing on the fact we’ve had battles in the past, is exciting.”
“If I can have a big tour in India, then it should set me up for a while. If I do well, I can cement myself back in the team,” added the English pacer.
The upcoming series holds paramount significance for Rohit Sharma and his team, as they brace themselves for the formidable challenge posed by Ben Stokes’ men and their aggressive Bazball approach. Kohli, showcasing excellent form in recent times and delivering crucial innings in the challenging South Africa series, is poised to play a pivotal role for the hosts in the forthcoming series. Acknowledging his stellar performance, the former India captain has climbed back to the top 10 rankings in Test cricket, currently holding the sixth position.