Ishant cranks up the pace at Kohli

Gaurav Joshi

Wellington, February 19

For close to 20 minutes, it was a most compelling net session — the Indian fast bowlers led by Ishant Sharma bowling full tilt at Virat Kohli with the new ball. The surface resembled hockey’s astroturf and the ball zipped at Kohli at great speed.

Every time Kohli was beaten, it irked him, but the competitive contest slowly turned into a knowledge-sharing session. The major communicator was Ishant. The lanky fast bowler would constantly discuss the length and the angles, and how he had deceived the Indian captain.

It has been four weeks since Ishant last played a match, but the Delhi paceman continuously bowled for over an hour today. Significantly, there was no grimace on his face or discomfort in his ankle as he created havoc for each batsman.

Looking normal

“He looked pretty normal, like before he got injured. Pretty similar to how he was bowling before the ankle injury and he was hitting good areas,” said Kohli later. “Obviously, he has got plenty of experience. He has played in New Zealand a couple of times before… It is really good to see him bowling with pace and in good areas.”

The trio of Ishant, Bumrah and Shami trio has been lethal for India in recent past. In the 10 Tests they have played together, the three have grabbed 142 of the 192 wickets India have taken, at an average of 20.59.

Ishant suffered an ankle injury during a Ranji Trophy match a month ago. If, despite today’s evidence, he is ruled out of the first Test, which begins on Friday, Umesh Yadav is likely to join Bumrah and Shami.

Ashwin or Jadeja?

The other key decision Kohli needs to make is whether to pick Ravichandran Ashwin over Ravindra Jadeja. The playing surface at the Basin Reserve has plenty of grass and is not renowned to deteriorate or offer turn. But the strong wind forecast during the Test will assist drift, making the loopy off-spinners of Ashwin more threatening than the flat trajectory of Jadeja. Also, the fact that Jadeja wasn’t able to bowl India to victory at this venue in 2014 could work against him.

Shaw to open

From India’s batting perspective, Prithvi Shaw will open with Mayank Agarwal and Hanuma Vihari is expected to bat at No. 6. Wriddhiman Saha is poised to don the wicketkeeper’s gloves.

Wagner doubtful

New Zealand’s preparations have also been thrown into disorder, and Neil Wagner could miss the first Test due to the birth of his child. If Wagner is ruled out, Kyle Jamieson, the two-meter paceman from Auckland, is likely to make his debut. The home side will once again bank on captain Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor to be the foundation of the batting. Taylor will be playing his 100th Test and will become the first player to play 100 matches in the three international formats.

Wind factor

The windy conditions could play a pivotal role in the match. Wellington is the second-windiest city in the world and bowling into the stiff breeze at the Basin Reserve can be a daunting task.

“The wind in this stadium, more than any other stadium in the world, plays a massive, massive role,” Virat Kohli observed. “Choosing bowlers accordingly, who bowls into the wind, who bowls with the wind… These are the kind of things you have to think as a captain. If the breeze is blowing across the stadium, then who is more effective bowling the inswingers or the outswingers. These kinds of things you need to think as a captain.”

Grassy wicket

The grassy surface at Basin Reserve often leads to a tricky first day of batting before the pitch flattens out. Dismissing teams in the third or fourth innings can be a huge challenge, and India’s bowlers know this from their precious outings here. They know they simply cannot relent. The conditions might be familiar to New Zealand, but India’s superior and stable batting might just tilt the scales in their favour.