AUCKLAND: Former New Zealand fast bowler Neil Wagner has shared an interesting story about his battle with two of India’s cricketing greats, Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni, during a Test match in Auckland in 2014. Wagner talked about how the two great batsmen handled his short-pitched bowling on the Red Inker Cricket Podcast.
In this case, the contest was the first game of the series at Eden Park, where New Zealand set India a tough goal of 407 runs. Wagner, who is known for his aggressive short-pitched bowling, was able to put pressure on the young Virat Kohli, but MS Dhoni didn’t appear to care about the same methods.
“I remember bowling a few bouncers and how they played it. [Virat] Kohli looked a little nervous, especially. “I don’t know if I should take it on or not and how to play,” Wagner, 39, added. He said that his plan to bowl cross and outside the eye-line succeeded against Kohli, who ended up edging a pull shot to the wicketkeeper, BJ Watling, after scoring a well-compiled 67.
Wagner, on the other hand, noted that MS Dhoni, who was then in charge of the team, seemed to be in full control. Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja put up a crucial 54-run partnership that pushed India very close to winning. “Then it appeared like Dhoni and Jadeja were going to go after it and play a great innings. Wagner remarked, “Dhoni didn’t seem to be too bothered by it.”
The pacer then talked about the risky strategy he used to get Dhoni out, which worked in the end. “We had to choose the positive and aggressive alternative and not be scared at all. I thought, “I’m going to throw Dhoni a slower ball bouncer.” “I did it, and he chopped it on. I was amazed by it,” he remarked.
That important wicket of Dhoni finally broke India’s will, as Wagner’s 4 for 62 helped the Kiwis bowl India out for 366, giving them a close 40-run win. Wagner added that having a guy like Dhoni to bowl with a non-traditional delivery gave him a lot of confidence and faith in himself as a bowler. Wagner will always remember the encounter because it shows how different the two Indian leaders were when it came to facing bowlers.