MS Dhoni on Tuesday showered praise on India captain Virat Kohli scaling the top of the International Cricket Council Test batting charts, stating that he was happy for the 29-year-old’s form over the last few years.
Despite India falling short by 31 runs in the first Test at Edgbaston, Kohli was at his best, scoring 149 and 51 while the rest of the Indian team could only muster 214 between them. Kohli’s 200-run tally, thereby ending his poor run in England, helped him dislodge Steve Smith and become the world’s highest-ranked Test batsman. Kohli also sits on the top of the pile in the ODI batting charts.
“He is the best, he has already at status where is close to being a legend. [I am] very happy for him and the way he has batted everywhere, and the last few years it [Kohli’s form] has just been brilliant. He keeps taking the team forward and that’s what’s important. Congrats to him,” Dhoni, who was in Mumbai to announce a 25 percent stake in sports technology company Run Adam.
One of the most encouraging facets of the Indian team in recent times is the bowlers regularly picking up 20 wickets. Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri will breathe easy knowing that their bowling arsenal have bowled opposition out twice in a Test match on seven consecutive Test matches away from home.
Bowling out the opposition is a formula Dhoni thinks holds the key to win five-day matches. “To win a Test match, you need to take 20 wickets. That’s all I have to say about that. [It] doesn’t matter how you bat, how you are on five days in the field. It is taking 20 wickets you can win a Test.”
The former India captain also cleared the air about the one incident that sent social media in a tizzy during the One-day International series against England that preceded the Tests.
‘Had asked the ball from the umpires for reverse swing’
Dhoni had sought the ball from the umpires at the conclusion of the third ODI at Headingley, leading to speculation of the 37-year-old bidding adieu from limited-overs cricket as well. Predictably, Dhoni brushed aside those rumours, revealing that he wanted to show it to bowling coach Bharat Arun on how to generate reverse swing.
“You have keep to keep working. The idea was to see why we are not able to get enough reverse swing. We will be playing the World Cup in England and we have to see what it is that is required to get reverse swing going. I feel that is important and the opposition is getting it at some point,” Dhoni said.
“After 50 overs, the ball is useless for the ICC so I requested the umpire for the ball and gave it to the bowling coach on how we can work on it and get a bit of reverse swing going. That will in turn help the fast bowlers to get the yorkers and wickets close to or after the 40th over mark. That will help them restrict the opposition,” he added.
Trailing 0-1 in the five-match Test series, India play the second Test against England at Lord’s.