Australian coach Justin Langer has said that his team is ready with plans for Virat Kohli. Kohli will be leading India in their maiden Pink-Ball test overseas and Langer said that they are ready to counter Kohlifrom setting the tome for India in the first test. Kohli will be back to India to be with his family for the birth of his first child. Therefore the onus is on the Indian skipper to help his team win the first test and gain the upper hand in the four-match series.
Speaking at the pre-match presser, Langer spoke on his team’s preparations, while giving a hint on their preparations for Virat Kohli.
“He is a great player and an equally great leader. I have got so much respect for him but we are going to be really well planned for him because we know how important he is for India as a leader and as a batsman. So, we will have our plans in place.”
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Justin Langer further said that his side will bank on their skill set rather than on verbal confrontation with Virat Kohli to get his wicket.
“What we talk about is how to get Virat out. He is such a great player, we don’t talk about whether we taunt him or not. That’s rubbish… We play on the skill, not on emotions, at least we try to. There is obviously emotion in the game, no doubt about that, we are going to control our emotions”.
The Australian coach does not keep his team ahead in the first despite having played more Pink-Ball cricket in the past.
“I have always said that the best players and best teams adapt regardless of the big game or the colour of the ball, so whether it is the red ball or the white ball or the pink ball, the best players and teams adapt to it. So, what has happened in the past, it is nice to replay. India have just come off a day-night practice game, we have done a bit of practice under lights.”
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No Advantage Heading into Adelaide: Justin Langer
He further said that having played no cricket in the last 12 months does not give his team the advantage heading into the first test.
“We haven’t played for 12 months or so, so when it comes to the crunch, regardless of the ball, regardless of whether it is day-night or a day Test match it is game on. I don’t think it (our past performance) has given us much advantage at all,” concluded Langer.
