One thing that I try to do is, think as a batsman: Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli-led Indian team to their biggest win against the West Indies at their own home turf in the first Test match of the 4-match of the series at Antigua. Following the victory, Kohli said that he used to think like a batsman, while on the field which helps him set fields for the batsmen accordingly.

“The one thing that I try to do is think as a batsman, which is very important. You can read a batsman’s body language and figure out where he is trying to score his runs. Unless a guy is playing shots all round the wicket, because then it is very difficult to set a field,” said Kohli.

Elaborating about his tactics for field placements, he said, “But if someone is predominantly looking to set up, get in and score his runs one side of the wicket or not play a particular stroke then you pick up these things and set a field accordingly to make him do that. It’s all about getting into the batsman s head and creating that pressure to make him make that mistake.”

West Indies were always under pressure with India posting a huge total of 566 runs on the board in the first innings of Test match and it made it easy for the Indians to attack. The Indian skipper said that despite having a huge total, the mindset to defend a much lesser target is very important.

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“We know that any team can go easy on the opposition when you have 560-570 runs,” said Kohli after India’s victory. “But what’s important is to still have the mindset of defending 350 even, when you have 560. Because when you have a low score on the board that helps you repeat those things again and you don’t have to do anything different to suddenly defend a small total.”

Creating momentum for the bowler:

The pitch at Antigua was sluggish and slow. The fast bowlers had to really work hard for their wickets. The attacking fields that he had set didn’t allow the West Indies batsmen easy singles and the bowlers got the opportunity to work on one particular batsman.

“That’s what Test cricket is all about,” said the 27-year old. “It’s not just about what is happening with the bat or ball on the pitch, it’s about what’s happening in the head as well. It’s about how you create momentum for the bowler and the environment around a batsman where he makes that mistake.”

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“That’s where Test cricket is very different from other formats of the game, which I don’t think people realise too much.That’s the challenge for any cricketer in this format, to overcome this and do well. That’s why it’s so testing and so demanding of the players,” Kohli concluded.