A half-fit Virat Kohli could be more dangerous, feels Trevor Bayliss

While Indian fans are keeping their fingers crossed over Indian captain Virat Kohli’s fitness ahead of the third Test at Trent Bridge starting on Saturday, none other than the coach of the English side thinks otherwise. For Trevor Bayliss, a half-fit Kohli could be even more dangerous. The visitors are looking to reduce England’s lead by stunning them in Nottingham.

The 29-year-old has been nursing an old back injury and found himself in discomfort with the pain during the second Test at Lord’s which India lost by an innings and 159 runs. He batted in second innings with a lot of uneasiness and received treatment on the ground as well.

Bayliss, a former Australian first-class cricketer, said he wasn’t worried about Kohli’s fitness and thought the right-handed batsman could pose even a bigger threat. “It could mean he’s more of a dangerous player. Through history there are a lot of players who have played with an injury and scored runs and taken wickets,” a report in Deccan Chronicle cited his quote.

He also confirmed that their approach won’t change towards him and try to get him out as early as possible like they did in the second Test. “I don’t know if that focuses the mind more but I have just seen him take some slip catches without any problems, so I’m sure he’ll be playing. That won’t change our approach to the way we play him,” Bayliss added.

There is a bit of swing around

Bayliss also hoped that conditions at Trent Bridge would be similar to that at Lord’s just to start the mind games ahead of the must-win game for the visitors. Definitely, the weather is not so great in Nottingham and the ball always swings in the air which will challenge the batsmen from both sides even more.

“I haven’t been out there but normally there is a bit of swing around. We’re looking forward to it being the same as Lord’s. That would be nice,” he said. India were scuttled out for 107 and 130 in the two innings at Lord’s, losing 20 wickets in less than 83 overs.

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