Former New Zealand pacer Neil Wagner has recently recalled bowling to Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni during the 2014 Auckland Test, and highlighted how the two Indian stars handled his short-ball tactics differently.
Speaking on the Red Inker Cricket Podcast, Wagner shared how Kohli looked uncertain against his bouncers, while Dhoni seemed more comfortable.
Wagner said that pitch was flat, but there was a bit of pace and bounce. “Eden Park is quite small on the straight, but the square boundaries there are pockets that are helpful. I remember bowling a couple of bouncers and how they played it, and particularly Kohli looked a bit unsettled. He didn’t know if he should take it on or not and how to play.”
The former left-armer, known for his ability to bowl at a brisk pace and hurry batters, explained what the plan was. “The idea was trying to go cross and outside eyeline. He tried to pull it in front of square, just got a toe end on it and it carried through to BJ Watling(wicketkeeper).”
Wagner also recalled how Dhoni responded to the challenge. “MS Dhoni didn’t look like it was bothering him too much.”
Eventually, he got him with a slower bouncer. “It was all about taking the positive and aggressive option for us and not being fearful. I was like I am going to bowl a slower–ball bouncer to Dhoni. I did it and he chopped it on, and I was amazed by it. The confidence I got from that and backing your gut feeling made me feel like getting some confidence and some self-belief,” Wagner concluded.
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