New Delhi, Oct 27: Prolific middle order batsman Virat Kohli reckons that it will be “absolutely fair” if India take advantage of home conditions and make the visiting English side play on rank turners during their upcoming tour.
“Why not? We were given flattest of tracks during practice matches in England and Australia and then suddenly presented with a green-top during Tests. During practice matches, we would face those 120 kmph bowlers,” a candid Kohli said during a freewheeling chat after a net session with the Delhi Ranji Trophy squad here today.
“If they (England and Australia) wanted to be fair to us, they could have provided us with same kind of tracks for practice matches like what were used in Tests. Especially, when they knew that visiting teams get very less time to practice. Now they would be playing on turning tracks and definitely would know where they stand,” he said when asked about the fairness of playing on turners.
Kohli also sought to play the mind game ahead of the series by stating that Kevin Pietersen will be “under a lot of pressure to perform well” as he is one of their key players who has a good record against quality spin attacks.
“There will be huge pressure on KP as he has been playing in India for quite some time and considered to be a good batsman against spin. You may say that the senior England cricketers have an understanding of these conditions but let me tell you, it's not that easy. You might feel they would like to hit spinners but end up doing exactly opposite.”
The prolific batsman cited the example of England's Test series against Pakistan in UAE.
“Come to think of that particular series, there wasn't much of turn on offer but England couldn't negotiate one quality spinner (Saeed Ajmal) as they lost the battle in their heads,” he said.
