NZ vs IND: Boult reveals how he choked Virat Kohli
New Zealand seamer Trent Boult dismissed Indian skipper Virat Kohli on Day 3 of the first Test, which India lost by 10 wickets. Post this dismissal, the left-arm pacer revealed the plan he forged out to get the better of Kohli. Meanwhile, Kohli's lean patch continues as he is now sans a hundred in 20 international innings. Here is what Boult said.
How did the Test match pan out?
India faced the wrath of Kiwi bowlers as they were put into bat by skipper Kane Williamson. Kyle Jamieson and Tim Southee scalped eight wickets apiece to bundle out India for 165. In reply, the Kiwis were 225/7, however, they ended with 348. India's batsmen failed to deliver in the second innings as well. New Zealand won by 10 wickets, chasing mere 9 runs.
We wanted to choke his runs: Boult
"Almost every time we miss, he hits and gets boundaries. We are just trying to dry the boundaries for him. I think using the wicket and the short ball was a good plan. It's nice to draw the air out of him," Boult told reporters.
Kohli was caught behind the stumps in both the innings
The first innings brought back the memories of Kohli's dreadful England tour as he was yet again caught in the slips, getting his uncertain corridor exposed. He was beaten for swing by Kyle Jamieson after playing the expansive drive. Besides, Trent Boult trapped Kohli in the second innings by testing him with bouncers. Boult finally got Kohli while he nicked one to the keeper.
Kohli's batting graph has plunged since his last century
Kohli's last century came against Bangladesh in the Day-Night Test at the Eden Gardens in November 2019. Post that, he featured in nine ODI matches. In nine T20Is, Kohli smashed a best of 94* and also got 70* against West Indies. He has scored 712 runs in 20 matches at 41.88 since December 2019, quite an average tally as per Kohli's standards.
A forgettable tour for Kohli so far across formats
Despite some fireworks against Australia and West Indies prior to the New Zealand tour, Kohli hasn't been at his best. Kohli's scores in the ongoing tour read- 45, 11, 38, 11, 51, 15, 9, 2 and 19. He has scored 201 runs in nine innings at 22.33 which includes a solitary half-century. Kohli will look to target the Christchurch Test for redemption.
