AB de Villiers warns Kohli and Co. over their green pitch strategy

South Africa batsman AB de Villiers believes Virat Kohli’s views of preparing for the overseas tours with green pitch are unrealistic. India is set to tour South Africa for 3 Tests, 6 ODIs and 3 T20Is in January next year. The team has got very less time to prepare for their toughest examination and Kohli had voiced his opinion over better preparations for the tour last month. However, de Villiers feels that greenish pitches in India aren’t going to make any difference in their preparations for the tour.

Team India is currently playing the Test series against Sri Lanka and have demanded green pitches during the series. Eden Gardens at Kolkata provided one of the liveliest surfaces in recent conditions which replicated the similar conditions overseas. It is being expected that Delhi wicket will also have a green tinge on it and the bowlers will be aided on the first day. Kohli has often spoken about putting themselves in uncomfortable situations and is not afraid to take on the best in the world.

They won’t face the same bowlers

AB de Villiers felt that Kohli’s views of touring the country a month before for the preparation as unrealistic and also said that then the cricketers won’t be able to stay at home. “Being in a country for a month before playing a series is ideal but it’s unrealistic, especially with our current schedules. If you’re prepared to do that (come earlier), you won’t be at home for many days of the year,” he was quoted as saying as saying by The Citizen.

However, he also warned India that they would be facing the bowlers of high quality on seaming and bouncy pitches in South Africa. “Virat is a disciplined and adaptable guy. If he believes that’s the best way for India to prepare for tours, they must investigate the possibility. It might help them but India has got to remember that they won’t face the same bowlers. They’ll face guys that come from here and know in which areas to bowl. It’s easy to overthink these situations. In the end, it’s just about getting onto the field and achieving results,” ABD added.