‘It was more of a coincidence than anything’ – Ross Taylor on Virat Kohli’s struggle against left-arm pacers

Virat Kohli and Ross Taylor (Photo Source: Twitter)

Indian top-order batters have struggled a lot against left-arm pacers in the recent past. Be it in the 2019 ODI World Cup semi-final against New Zealand or in the T20 World Cup 2021 against Pakistan, the trio of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli have failed to get going against the left-arm quicks. However, former New Zealand international, Ross Taylor, believes that Kohli doesn’t have any problem dealing with any bowler in the world and it was just a coincidence that he got out to left-handers a couple of times in the past.

Notably, in the recently concluded ODI series against Australia, the former India skipper struggled a lot against Mitchell Starc as his in-swinger nipped in and trapped him in the first ODI of the series in Mumbai. Even so, Taylor backed Kohli and stated that the 34-year-old will only be working on the areas he feels is important.

“I think it was more of a coincidence than anything (getting out to left-hand seamers). Virat has been a fantastic player against all bowlers. Sometimes a bowler just by coincidence can have your number,” Taylor told India Today in a special interaction arranged by the ICC.

“A left-arm seamer, I guess being lbw is the danger ball swinging back but Virat has been a fantastic player for years and I am sure he will be working on whatever he feels he needs to be. You look at the setup, I have full trust in Virat and what he does,” the 39-year-old added.

Coming in at no.4, Indian players will be looking to him in the WTC final: Taylor

Notably, Ross Taylor was part of the New Zealand squad that beat India in the finals of the World Test Championship (WTC) in 2021. However, ahead of this year’s final between India and Australia, Taylor stated that the Pat Cummins-led side will be eager to pick Kohli’s wicket this time, or else, the cricketer can go on to score big runs and if need be can score quickly as well.

“I am sure him coming in at no.4, Indian players will be looking to him but at the same time, the Australian team knows they need to get Virat out early to put that Indian middle-order under pressure. If they don’t, he can score big runs and quick runs,” Taylor concluded.