WI vs IND | Some Caribbean pitches can be really testing, says Virat Kohli

08/09/2019

Virat Kohli admitted that the pitches in the Caribbean offers a real test to every team playing, even in the limited overs format. The first of the three ODIs between West Indies and India was eventually abandoned after the water left behind by rains could not be cleared off by the staff.

Generally, in the limited overs formats of cricket, the pitches in a country or region are consistent across grounds. For instance, the subcontinent wickets are usually slower, offer lesser bounce and spin. This is not the case with the wickets in West Indies, according to the Indian skipper.

“A few of the pitches in the Caribbean can really test you. Some pitches might have good pace and bounce but some of them will be on the slower side and you need to be patient. The team that adapts well and plays better percentage cricket will benefit. Both teams will look to do that in the coming days," Kohli said at the post-match presentation, reported Cricbuzz.

Well, both teams tried their level best to adapt to the conditions offered to them yesterday in Guyana. But the rain gods, and the water left behind, really did not give either team much to work with. India won the toss and elected to field, after rain delayed proceedings multiple times. West Indies were 54 for one at the end of 13 overs when the officials decided to call-off the match. Kohli expressed how disappointed he was at the way things went.

"It's probably the worst part of cricket, a stop-start is never a good feeling. Either it should rain out or play the full game. The more stops you have, the more you want to be careful to ensure that the players don't injure themselves,” Kohli said.

Captain Kohli, widely regarded as one of the finest players ever to play the ODI game, also talked about the evolution of the format in the T20 era.

“Cricket has come a long, long way. England for example have done really well with their turnaround. Scores of 400 are being scored regularly now. The game is moving fast because of the T20 influence into the games, and it is only to go higher and higher as we go ahead. The guys are fitter, sharper now and all teams will have to keep up with that,” Kohli added.

The second ODI between the two countries will be played at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain on Sunday.