‘Play with his ego and get physiologically stuck into him’ – Monty Panesar urges Ben Stokes to play mind games with Virat Kohli

Monty Panesar and Virat Kohli. (Photo Source: Getty Images)

Less than a week remains before the much-anticipated Test clash between India and England in Hyderabad, with all eyes set on the battle between Ben Stokes’ English squad and the linchpin of India’s fortunes, Virat Kohli. According to former England spin maestro Monty Panesar, the key to dismissing the star India batter lies not in spin but in the hands of veteran paceman James Anderson.

Panesar suggested a psychological approach for Stokes and urged him to play with Kohli’s ego by reminding him of the absence of recent ICC titles in his trophy cabinet. Panesar believed that needling Kohli about England’s success in this regard could disrupt the former Indian captain’s focus and become the pathway to dismissing him.

“Play with his ego and get physiologically stuck into him. They should also say things to him like, you guys are chokers when it comes to the final. They should sledge him on those lines because Stokes has won the ODI and T20 WC and Kohli has not and that is going to mentally pinch him,” Panesar was quoted as saying by India.com.

Kohli, Anderson tussle could be the highlight of Test series

Following Stuart Broad’s retirement post-Ashes, James Anderson secured his spot in the England squad. England’s spin arsenal includes Jack Leach and Rehan Ahmed, forming a formidable four-man spin attack. Notably, Anderson has dismissed Virat Kohli seven times in Tests, with the former Indian captain amassing 305 runs at an average of 43.57 against the veteran pacer.

Notably, Kohli holds the record for the most runs by an Indian against Anderson in Tests. The 35-year-old’s formidable record against England, boasting 28 Tests, 1991 runs, and five centuries, raises the stakes for Stokes and his bowlers as they gear up for the Test series opener in Hyderabad. While the English team sharpen their skills in Abu Dhabi, Team India gear up for training starting January 20.