IND vs AUS: Virat Kohli sweats it out against spin ahead of second Test

The first Test of the series between India and Australia was dominated by spin bowlers. Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin were the biggest factors that led team India to a dominant victory in the first match of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Australian debutant Todd Murphy was undoubtedly the best performer for the visiting team in the game in Nagpur.

Ace India batter Virat Kohli was unable to perform in the Nagpur Test, he was scalped by Todd Murphy for just 12 runs in a rather unfortunate dismissal. To help counter the spin attack of the Aussies, Kohli arrived at the Arun Jaitley Stadium early to practice against spinners to better prepare himself for the second Test.

Kohli also received some tips from batting coach Vikram Rathour. He played against net bowlers Pulkit Narang and Hrithik Shokeen, and India A regular Saurabh Kumar also bowled to Kohli in the nets. Only time will tell whether Kohli’s struggle against spin will continue in Delhi or not. The track in Delhi is expected to be yet another spin-friendly track.

Murphy and Nathan Lyon pose a threat in the second game if the pitch favours spin. The 22-year-old Murphy was exceptional for Australia in the first game as he picked up seven wickets.

Australia will have to counter India’s spin attack in Delhi Test

Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were the stars in the first match as both the spinners completed their fifers, and the latter even impressed with the bat. The Australian batters were helpless against India’s constant spin threat as they collapsed in the second innings for just 91 runs.

If the Australian batters aren’t able to come up with a plan to counter the Indian spin trio, then it could be troublesome for the Aussie in the second Test as well. Many experts opined that India might win every match of the series considering the conditions and the form that their spinners are in. Both teams take each other on in Delhi on Friday, February 17.