Veteran pacer Stuart Broad feels Virat Kohli’s absence is a big loss for the ongoing Test series between India and England but it will be a big opportunity for the youngsters to step up. Kohli, who missed the first two Tests, will continue to remain unavailable for the last three matches due to personal reasons.
In Kohli’s absence, the Indian middle-order batter was exposed in front of an English spin attack as the hosts lost the first Test in Hyderabad but a Jasprit Bumrah masterclass helped them level the series 1-1.
Broad said that it’s a great opportunity for the young players to step up in Kohli’s absence and make a name for themselves on the big stage.
“The battle between Virat and England bowlers had been great in the past. (James) Anderson and Kohli’s battles are quite famous. It’s a shame for the series and the sport that he will be missing,” he observed.
“…Virat adds to the quality of any contest because he is such a wonderful player who brings fire, passion, competitiveness and great fan following to the sport. But personal matters always take preference over cricketing matters,” he said.
“We saw in the last match when Yashaswi Jaiswal scored a brilliant double century,” pointed out the bowler who snared 604 wickets in 167 Tests.
The five-match series is locked 1-1 and the two teams will now square off in the third game in Rajkot, beginning February 15.
“(The) first two matches were very competitive and it is one of the most exciting India-England Test series that I have seen. It is the most level series,” he said.
“India won the last Test but England’s playing style (‘Bazball’) is quite effective in India. With Virat not in the team, it is a great opportunity for the England team,” he added.
Broad also shaped praise on his former bowling partner James Anderson and Indian paceman Jasprit Bumrah for their brilliant performance on a placid Rajkot surface.
“We saw in the second Test, seamers played an important role with Jasprit Bumrah giving a match-winning performance and Jimmy bowling like that on those pitches.
“Everyone expected that the pitch might spin a little bit more but seamers had a lot more success. Maybe with the moisture in the morning,” he said.
“Jimmy is nearing 700 wickets and I know he is someone who always takes wickets in a winning cause,” he added about the 41-year-old Anderson, who has claimed 179 Test wickets against India in 68 tests.
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