‘As Virat Kohli Not in Series, It’s a Great Opportunity for England’: Stuart Broad

Renowned former England cricketer Stuart Broad has said that Indian star batter Virat Kohli’s absence for the England vs India 5-Tests series is a great chance for England to win the series.

Speaking to the PTI on the sidelines of the just finished SA20, 4where5 he was a commentator, Stuart Broad said that the absence of Kohli due to personal reasons is a downer but the games so far have been engrossing.

Pacer Broad feels that Kohli’s absence is a big loss for the team India. Kohli who has missed the initial two Tests will be unavailable for the remaining three matches also.

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In Kohli’s absence, the Indian middle-order batter was exposed in front of an English spin attack as the hosts lost the first Test in Hyderabad but Jasprit Bumrah’s masterclass helped them level the series 1-1.

Broad said that it’s a great opportunity for the young players to step up in Kohli’s absence and make a name for themselves on the big stage.

“The battle between Virat and England bowlers had been great in the past. (James) Anderson and Kohli’s battles are quite famous. It’s a shame for the series and the sport that he will be missing,” he observed.

“…Virat adds to the quality of any contest because he is such a wonderful player who brings fire, passion, competitiveness and great fan following to the sport. But personal matters always take preference over cricketing matters,” he said.

“We saw in the last match when Yashaswi Jaiswal scored a brilliant double century,” pointed out the bowler who snared 604 wickets in 167 Tests.

The five-match Test series between India and England is locked 1-1 and the 2 teams will now square off in the third game in Rajkot, beginning on February 15.

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“(The) first two matches were very competitive and it is one of the most exciting India-England Test series that I have seen. It is the most level series,” he said.

“India won the last Test but England’s playing style (‘Bazball’) is quite effective in India. With Virat not in the team, it is a great opportunity for the England team,” he added.

Stuart Broad also shaped praise on his former bowling partner James Anderson and pacer Jasprit Bumrah for their brilliant performance on a placid Rajkot surface.

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“We saw in the second Test, that seamers played an important role with Jasprit Bumrah giving a match-winning performance and Jimmy bowling like that on those pitches.

“Everyone expected that the pitch might spin a little bit more but seamers had a lot more success. Maybe with the moisture in the morning,” he said.

“Jimmy is nearing 700 wickets and I know he is someone who always takes wickets in a winning cause,” he added about the 41-year-old Anderson, who has claimed 179 Test wickets against India in 68 tests.