In his reflections on the 2014 Auckland Test match against India, former New Zealand bowler Neil Wagner recalled how his short-ball approach unsettled star batsman Virat Kohli and finally resulted in his wicket of then-captain MS Dhoni.
Despite Dhoni’s seeming ease against the bouncer plan, Wagner was able to dismiss the Indian skipper. It’s interesting that he thought Dhoni appeared more confident against pace in foreign settings at the time than a young Kohli. In the first Test of the series at Eden Park, where New Zealand won a thrilling victory, the left-arm quick also described how he planned to target Kohli.
“I recall the surface in this Test match being rather flat, but there was some bounce and velocity. On the straight, Eden Park is very modest, but there are useful niches inside the square borders. Wagner said on the Red Inker Cricket Podcast, “He didn’t know how to play or if he should take it on.”
I recall how they played a few bouncers that I bowled, and in particular, how Kohli appeared a little uneasy.
At first, Dhoni appeared far more at ease against his short-pitched bowling than Kohli, the 39-year-old acknowledged. But in order to get his wicket, he eventually tricked the Indian captain with an unexpected slower-ball bouncer. In the fourth innings, New Zealand set India a target of 407 runs. Because of Wagner’s brilliant 4/62 session, India was bowled out for 366, giving the hosts a historic 40-run triumph.
“Trying to cross and go beyond the eyeline was the plan. Since there is protection outside, he (Kohli) attempted to pull it in front of the plaza. He only managed to get a toe end on it while he was attempting to tug it in front of the square, and it got to BJ Watling. It produced a sort of mode when he had a bottom edge on it. Then, it appeared as though Dhoni and Jadeja would pursue it and put on a tremendous innings.
“Dhoni didn’t appear to be really bothered by it. It all came down to not being afraid at all and choosing the proactive and positive course of action for us. I said, “I’m going to bowl Dhoni a slower ball bouncer.” He sliced it on when I finished, and I was astounded. “That gave me confidence, and trusting your instincts gave me a sense of self-assurance and self-belief,” Wagner remarked.
Wagner, who is undoubtedly one of the most unappreciated pacers of this generation, just announced his retirement from international cricket. The Pretoria native took 260 wickets in 64 Test matches for New Zealand, including nine five-wicket hauls. But he still plays for Durham in county cricket.
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