India vs New Zealand 2019: Lockie Ferguson has a Plan to Tackle Virat Kohli
Jan 25, 2019 at 4:07 PM
India vs New Zealand 2019: New Zealand paceman Lockie Ferguson is banking on his plan to deal with world-class batsman and Indian skipper Virat Kohli. In the first ODI at McLean Park Ferguson managed to bag Kohli’s prized scalp. Ferguson cited he would be diverse in his plans while relying on his aggression.
“My plans might be different for Virat [Kohli] than perhaps some of the Sri Lankans, but the mindset doesn’t change, I’m still bowling aggressive, and I think the other bowlers will say the same thing,” Ferguson was quoted as saying by NZ Herald.
The promising seamer admitted the fact by saying he was bowling to Kohli for the second time. However, he is keen to create angles to ask a few questions to the World No.1 batsman. Ferguson did not shy away from saying he faced a challenge early on.
“[It was] the second time I’ve bowled to him so definitely a challenge – one that I was really keen to get amongst, and I had some plans to him, to try and change up the angles,” Kohli stated.
Lockie Ferguson heaps praise on Kohli:
However, Ferguson has a solitary game to execute his plan because Kohli is taking a much-need break for the final two ODIs including the three-match Twenty20 International (T20) series.
The step has been taken to keep Kohli fresh for the limited-overs home series against Australia ahead of the 2019 World Cup.
In the series opener, Ferguson settled with the bowling figures of one for 41 in eight overs.
Ferguson reiterated he could achieve the results early on. He added Kohli is a quality player, who played equally well after India bundled out hosts on 157 in Napier.
“It didn’t quite come to fruition early on, and he’s a good player. [Kohli] He played well, and with a score like that he could take his time a little bit more,” Ferguson stated.
Ferguson aims to mount pressure on an opposition:
Earlier, following the Napier loss, Ferguson reiterated the Black Caps would make a strong comeback in the second ODI.
“I know next game we’ll come out better with a few more runs, and put him under some more pressure, for sure,” Ferguson remarked.
While discussing his bowling, Ferguson made it clear that he doesn’t want to overdo things owing to the reconnaissance. Ferguson aims to focus on his basics and rely on pace and bounce.
“That’s the nature of bowling quick sometimes – batters will take you on with the extra pace. So, the process when you bowl to these experienced players like that is to use the change of pace, try to catch them off guard a little bit and create a bit of hesitation,” Ferguson concludes.
The 27-year-old Auckland-based right-arm paceman Ferguson has so far featured in 22 ODIs and three T20Is. He bagged 46 wickets across formats after making his debut in December 2016.