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Kohli eyes whitewash, improvement in personal form

India go into third Test against New Zealand with skipper’s struggles perhaps only blight

Afp October 07, 2016

Kohli has only managed 82 runs in four innings in the series so far and is yet to score more than 45 in an innings. PHOTO: AFP

INDORE: India skipper Virat Kohli will look to lead Test cricket’s new number one side to a whitewash in the series finale against New Zealand starting tomorrow — and halt a rare slump in his own form in the process.

Since scoring his first Test double century against the West Indies in July, the normally prolific Kohli has failed to pass 50 in any of his subsequent seven innings and is averaging only 20 against the Black Caps.

India’s comfortable wins in the first two matches of a three-Test series have allowed them to overtake Pakistan at the top of the rankings and also divert attention away from Kohli’s downturn in form.

New Zealand’s Trent Boult dismissed the right-hander both times in the second Test in Kolkata after his strike partner Neil Wagner had softened him up the other end with a string of bouncers.

India's Kumar out of third Test against New Zealand due to back strain

Kohli, who has been widely praised for soaking up the additional pressure since taking over from MS Dhoni as Test captain last year, has been playing down the concerns about his own form.

“I don’t think there is anything called form. It’s how you feel on a particular day,” the 27-year-old said in comments carried by Indian media this week ahead of the third Test at Indore’s Holkar Stadium.

Kohli aside, India’s batting has been sound in the first two Tests but Shikhar Dhawan’s broken thumb has opened the door for a recall at the top of the order for veteran Gautam Gambhir.

Shikhar Dhawan to miss third Test against Kiwis with broken hand

There will also be a change to the bowling line-up after medium-pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who took six wickets in Kolkata, was ruled out on Wednesday with a back strain and the uncapped Shardul Thakur drafted in as a replacement.

New Zealand are expected to welcome back skipper Kane Williamson, who missed the second Test due to a viral infection.

The Black Caps will be aiming to avoid their second successive series whitewash in India after losing the 2012 rubber 2-0.

Senior batsman Ross Taylor, who led the team in Kolkata, said New Zealand were still keen to display their aggressive brand of cricket in the final Test.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 7^th, 2016.

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