Virat Kohli has worked hard at getting better in English conditions, says Harbhajan Singh

Indian skipper Virat Kohli has been a constant in the series against England so far. Making two centuries in the last three Tests, he managed to be a great support for the team. He had rigorous practice sessions with an Indian support staff Raghu in Mumbai ahead of the series, practicing on wet grounds to have a similar experience as of the English conditions.

“When you do that, take throw downs from 18 yards or so with a wet, new ball, you get used to pace and movement.Then, batting at 22 yards, it doesn’t affect you. Kohli is not swayed by pace or movement, he bats out of the crease, he covers the stumps, plays close to the body and plays late, so he has worked hard at getting better in English conditions,” Harbhajan Singh said.

“He is a brilliant batsman. I haven’t seen many batsmen come to South Africa, Australia and England, and make the conditions look so easy. Virat’s best quality is that he says we will play to win - whatever the situation we will play to win. In that process you might lose a few games but once you get into that groove, you will win many games,” he added.

Playing at Trent Bridge, the Indian squad was a different playing XI from the previous 37 Tests. The Indian team, however, secured a win against England by 203 runs.

“Personally I think 38 changes in 38 Tests is too much. But every captain is different, and every team’s dynamics are different. Maybe they want horses for courses, and it works for them,” Harbhajan said.“They were close to winning the series in South Africa. They have turned things here in England. If the captain believes in it, the management agrees and players accept it, then what you and I think doesn’t matter,” he added.

Harbhajan further stated that the England batting line-up looked more troubled than the Indian batting line up. As India has won one Test out of the three played, Harbhajan is still optimistic for the rest of the two Tests.

“They are playing as if they are touring India, and not the other way round. Their batting line-up is more vulnerable to both pace and spin, and they look weak. Some of their first-choice batsmen have an ordinary record in domestic cricket, averaging 30-35 at best,” he said.

“After such a performance I back India to win the next Test in Southampton, and then anything can happen in the Oval Test. At the Oval, we could get a true Indian wicket with lot of bounce and lateral movement is less there as well,” Harbhajan added.