Moeen Ali bowled a ripper to clean up Virat Kohli on Day 1 of the second Test.
During the 22nd over of India’s innings, Moeen Ali bowled a ripper to clean up Kohli. It was a classic off-break, tossed up wide of off and drew Kohli into the big drive.
The Indian captain couldn't resist as he went to play a stroke through the covers but the ball spun back in sharply to crash the top of off-stump.
Reflecting on his dismissal, former India opener Gautam Gambhir said Kohli could have waited to play the kind of shot he did that led to his fall.
“See, there are different players, they have got different skills, they’ve got different strengths as well. If you have to be very, very critical about Virat Kohli, all I can say is probably that early in your innings, you don’t drive a ball off an off-spinner from the rough. And then obviously that’s his strength as well. He looks to play a lot of cover drives,” Gambhir said on the Star Sports Network.
He also pointed out Kohli’s dismissal had a lot to do with the fact that he was playing against the spin and it was a great delivery from Moeen.
“If you see Rohit Sharma, he would have been sweeping the same ball. Virat Kohli tried to play probably against the spin and that was his undoing. But again, you’ve got to give credit to the bowler as well, it was just a very good delivery,” Gambhir pointed out.
Thanks to Rohit’s 161 and Rahane’s 67, India finished the opening day at 300/6 on a turning Chepauk track.
No wonder, Gambhir feels the hosts are in a commanding position.
“India will be very happy, especially on Day 1 considering how the ball was gripping, bouncing, turning. I think 300/6, India will definitely take it and if they can get to 350-360, England will have their task cut out on this type of wicket where you’re dealing with three spinners and you’ve got two spinners who will give you a lot of control,” he said.
“I think anything more than 350 would be a very good total. India already are in a very good position but if they can get to 350-370, India will be a very, very happy side. England will be panicking a little bit. Yes, a lot will depend on Joe Root because he plays spin very well, but these are some very tough conditions.”