(Image Source: AFP)
[Saba Sports News] The last time India and England met in a Test series, Virat Kohli and Ollie Robinson had a notable exchange, and with the upcoming series in India, a rematch seems likely. England is set to play five Tests in India starting January 25, with Robinson taking on a significant role alongside James Anderson, following Stuart Broad’s retirement.
Robinson recently reflected on his encounters with Kohli, particularly during the 2021 Lord’s Test. Despite not recalling Kohli’s exact words during a challenging moment, Robinson is ready for another round against the former Indian captain. He expressed excitement about competing against top players like Kohli, aiming to challenge Kohli’s ego, especially in his home conditions.
“You always want to play against the best players, don’t you? And you always want to get the best players out. Kohli is one of those. He’s got a big ego and I think playing on that, especially in India, where he is going to want to dominate and score runs, playing on the fact we’ve had battles in the past, is exciting.”
Previously a reserve during England’s 2021 tour of India, Robinson observed but didn’t play. He spoke about the unique challenge of adapting to Indian conditions, emphasizing the need for flexibility and understanding the pitches.
Further, Robinson has been working on emulating Mohammed Shami’s bowling technique, particularly his “dead-straight seam” delivery, and gaining insights from Ishant Sharma’s experience in India. Both Shami and Ishant, however, will not be part of India’s squad for the series.
“I’ve actually been practising Mohammed Shami’s dead-straight seam,” he reveals. “He’s one of the best bowlers for India. I was looking at Ishant [Sharma] as well – he played at Sussex for a bit and he’s done really well in India for quite a while. He’s tall, similar to me.”
Aware of the additional responsibilities in Broad’s absence, Robinson is focusing on contributing to the team rather than leading the attack. He views the tour as an opportunity to solidify his position in the England team, aiming to perform at his best without getting ahead of himself.