India v England: Virat Kohli's class was always going to show, says Michael Atherton
Friday 18 November 2016 06:21, UK
It was inevitable that Virat Kohli would make a big score at some point in the Test series against England, according to Michael Atherton.
The India captain ended day one of the second Test in Visakhapatnam unbeaten on 151 as he made England pay for dropping him when he was on 56.
The hosts closed on 317-4 after James Anderson removed Ajinkya Rahane late on with the new ball, but Kohli remains and will be confident of adding to his tally on a batsman-friendly track.
"England were always going to feel the force of Kohli's bat at some stage," Atherton told Sky Sports. "He didn't have a particularly good series against England in 2014 when Jimmy Anderson was all over him but it all came together nicely for him today.
"He's on the back of runs in that Rajkot game, so he's feeling confident. Although he's not played a Test match here, in one-day [internationals] he's got a wonderful record at this ground and he won a good toss on an excellent pitch.
"He was in early because of those two wickets and really he couldn't have asked for nicer conditions to bat in than he had today. He played superbly."
While Kohli will take the headlines, he was ably assisted for much of the day by Cheteshwar Pujara, who notched his third hundred in as many Tests before falling to Anderson for 119.
The pair put on 226 for the second wicket with their contrasting styles drawing comparisons with another famous Indian duo.
"Pujara is a wonderful player too and I think they combine well together, that was their fourth 100 partnership in Test matches; he is a good foil for Kohli," Atherton added.
"It's a little bit like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid in years gone by. Tendulkar, as Kohli is now, is the big draw card - the man that everybody wants to come and see - but what you need down the other end is a guy who hasn't got a big ego and who isn't going to try and compete but who will get runs in whatever situation you find yourself in."
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The challenge now for England, argues Atherton, is to take the remaining six Indian wickets before the pitch begins to deteriorate to allow themselves a chance to bat while conditions are still favourable.
"The pitch will change more than Rajkot, it's not as firm a pitch and therefore it feels as though the top will go," said Atherton. "How quickly is the key question, of course.
"If India get 450, it's going to be difficult for England. It'll probably stay fine tomorrow but if India can bat until tea-time tomorrow, it'll probably start to go on that third day which is why the toss was so important. There won't be as much bounce as Rajkot but I think it's going to spin more.
"How Anderson rocks up tomorrow will be interesting and Stuart Broad seems to have this issue with his right foot, he only bowled 11 overs today so it hasn't been an ideal day for England."
Watch highlights of day one of the second Test between India and England on Sky Sports 2 from 2pm, then stay tuned for The Verdict at 3pm on the same channel. Live coverage of day two begins at 3.45am on Friday morning on Sky Sports 2 and across our digital platforms.
