India are staring down the barrel after falling 0-2 behind to England in the five-match Test series but skipper Virat Kohli is staying positive as the two sides get ready to clash at Trent Bridge.
Speaking on the eve of the third Test at Nottingham on Friday, Kohli stated the visitors were only thinking about winning.
“Only thing we have spoken about is to focus on what the team requires. When your back is against the wall, you can’t afford to think of anything else. If you look at it from another point of view it is actually a good situation to be in because you literally have no room for thinking about anything apart from what the team requires,” said Kohli.
“The only option we have is to win this game and nothing else and you need to show that in your body language, in your intent, the way you go about things.”
Amidst the doom and gloom that has surrounded the Indian camp, there was some good news for the visitors with Kohli declaring pacer Jasprit Bumrah fit to play in the third Test.
#TeamIndia's pace battery sweating it out in the nets ahead of the 3rd Test against England.#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/mubxGaVITE
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 17, 2018
“Very excited with Jasprit getting fit again. He is very consistent in hitting the areas that are required at the Test level. He’s shown that in South Africa already. He is one guy who is aggressive and makes the batsman feel uncomfortable in the middle. That has been his biggest strength and he relishes the challenge whenever given the opportunity. We are very excited that he is back. It is great to have someone like that on the park,” the skipper added.
India’s batsmen, bar Kohli, have been found wanting against the moving ball in England and the captain is keeping the option of playing an extra batsman open depending upon the conditions.
“It depends on the surface. If it has got enough assistance for the bowler then the extra batter might come into play. If it is going to be even, then picking 20 wickets is the priority. It’s about one discipline taking responsibility of their job. Both possibilities are there depending on the pitch,” Kohli remarked.
