Virat Kohli's thinking changed after the Australia tour: Former India all-rounder Reetinder Singh Sodhi

One of the most distinguishable features of the Indian team in the recent past has been the ability of its lower order to chip in with valuable runs in Test cricket. During the Australia tour whenever the batsmen succumbed to the new ball, the lower order ensured that they pitched in the tent and made handy contributions against slightly tired bowlers and older ball. The impact of such innings was one of the reasons that helped India secure a memorable series win.

While no captain in the world would not want to have such bowlers in the team who can bat and get the team out of precarious situations, former India cricketer Reetinder Singh Sodhi, thinks that the batting performances from the bowlers on the Australia tour may have changed Virat Kohli’s mindset.

While speaking to India News, Sodhi said that Kohli and the selectors have now started giving more weightage to bowlers who possess potent batting abilities.

“I feel Virat Kohli's thinking changed after the Australia tour. The theory that if your bowler can bat has proved effective. If we talk about Washington Sundar and Ashwin's batting in Australia, I think they were pivotal there. They changed the match there and we created history. So, somewhere or the other we are seeing in this selection that the selectors have given weightage to the bowlers who can bat and are all-rounders,” Sodhi told India News.

Speaking about India’s upcoming tour to England, Sodhi said that the focus will be on Indian spinners on the wickets of England.

“The way Ashwin has come back if we talk about his bowling. The way Axar Patel has given splendid performances against England, they have been recognized for their good performances. They all can prove to be aces in the pack because we all know that how potent our spinners can be on the England wickets,” said Sodhi.

India are scheduled to play New Zealand in the World Test Championship final from June 18. Post that they will take on England in a five-match Test series.