England vs India 2018: Surrey Doors Open for Virat Kohli – Alec Stewart
Aug 10, 2018 at 12:22 PM
Surrey director Alec Stewart said that the club’s door is open for the team India skipper Virat Kohli. The Indian captain was to play for Surrey before the England tour kickstarted. However, a neck injury ended Kohli’s maiden tenure at County Championship before it even began.
Virat Kohli had signed up with Surrey to prepare for the ongoing England tour. Kohli had failed on the previous tour of 2014 and wanted himself to get acclimatized to the conditions. However, Kohli was up to the challenge without playing in the County championship. The right-hander scored majestic 200 runs in the first Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Alec Stewart is open to welcome Virat Kohli again.
Therefore, Kohli not playing in the County season did have any side effects on his performance.
“Never say never. I am all for having world-class players. And he is the best player in the world,” former England captainAlec Stewart said at Lord’s yesterday.
Meanwhile, Alec Stewart understands that Virat Kohli might not play for Surrey given his hectic schedule with the Indian team. However, former England gloveman is not ruling out all the possibilities.
“But again, itineraries — India’s itinerary, his own itinerary — may or may not allow. We will certainly take a look at it if it is possible.
Alec Stewart said that he understands that Kohli needed time for his rehabilitation as he could not play for Surrey.
“We understood the reasons (for him pulling out from Surrey). When a player is injured it is right that they give themselves time to get fit before they play for their national side.”
Meanwhile, Alec Stewart showered praises on Virat Kohli for his superb performance in the first Test. Kohli had a set plan on how he wanted to go about his things. Therefore, he was able to execute his plans to perfection.
“He played beautifully. He has obviously thought through about how he is going to come and play in England against the moving ball, batting outside of his crease, playing the ball later. All these sorts of things, the great players can do. And he is the greatest player currently playing”.
Former England skipper went to add he loves watching Virat Kohli bat. In fact, there is no denying the fact that Indian talisman was able to win the first battle against the England bowlers.
“I enjoyed watching him. It was a real challenge him taking on (James) Anderson and (Stuart) Broad and the rest, and he batted in his own way. He won that one at Edgbaston and England will come at him again in this game, they would have got some options for him.”
Meanwhile, the first day at Lord’s was called off as rain played a killjoy.