Neil Wagner's plan for Virat Kohli
Kohli has endured one of his quietest tours in recent memory, with scores of 2 and 19 in the first Test in Wellington following seven limited-overs innings with only one half-century. New Zealand are determined to ensure his lean run continues into the last match of India's tour as well, the second Test starting Saturday in Christchurch. And Wagner, who returns to their squad after missing the first Test on paternity leave, says he is targeting India's captain specifically.
"Every team I play against I always try and target and go for their best players, because you know what a big stride it makes within a team when you get their best players out," Wagner told Stuff. "Drying him up, making sure they don't score and putting a lot of pressure on him from both ends [is imperative]."
Wagner has dismissed Kohli three times in six innings in Test cricket, bowling 108 balls to him and conceding 60 runs for an average of 20.00. The first of these dismissals came in Auckland, during the first Test of India's last tour of New Zealand in 2013-14. Chasing an improbable 407, India were giving New Zealand a real scare, with Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan putting on 126 for the third wicket. Then, with India 222 for 2, Wagner removed Kohli, and soon followed up with the wicket of Dhawan with a wicked bouncer from around the wicket.
"Every team I play against I always try and target and go for their best players, because you know what a big stride it makes within a team when you get their best players out," Wagner told Stuff. "Drying him up, making sure they don't score and putting a lot of pressure on him from both ends [is imperative]."
Wagner has dismissed Kohli three times in six innings in Test cricket, bowling 108 balls to him and conceding 60 runs for an average of 20.00. The first of these dismissals came in Auckland, during the first Test of India's last tour of New Zealand in 2013-14. Chasing an improbable 407, India were giving New Zealand a real scare, with Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan putting on 126 for the third wicket. Then, with India 222 for 2, Wagner removed Kohli, and soon followed up with the wicket of Dhawan with a wicked bouncer from around the wicket.