Virat Kohli's decision to play for Surrey ahead of England tour is 'smart' move, says ex-coach Gary Kirsten

Denzil Pinto 19:02 08/05/2018
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  • Gary Kirsten has described Virat Kohli’s decision to sign with Surrey ahead of India’s tour to England as a ‘smart’ move that will strength their chances of a Test series victory.

    Kohli put pen to paper with the English county side last week that will see the 29-year-old batsman play six matches in June.

    The last time the Indian skipper toured England in 2014, he had a disappointing tour, averaging just 13.40 in five Tests with his highest score being 39.

    But former India coach Kirsten believes it’s a great strategic move by the BCCI and Kohli. Although India lost the Test series against South Africa earlier in 2018, he believes India showed enough quality that can cause Joe Root’s side problems.

    “Strategically he has done a good thing to sign a contract with Surrey for a month,” the 2011 World Cup winner told reporters in Abu Dhabi.

    “To get acclimatized to the conditions, I think that is very smart. But he has three years more experience now from the last tour. I thought the Indian team, although they didn’t win the series in South Africa they had a very strong series.

    “If you take the whole tour they won the ODIs easy. England will be a different kettle of fish at home and they will swing the ball. Anderson and Stuart Broad will be very effective in England. If they can overcome that then potentially they will have a good series.”

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