Virat Kohli Feasts on Crabs, Will he Have the Stomach for Runs in India-Sri Lanka Test Series?
Virat Kohli has made all the right noises heading into his first full series as India's Test captain. He has his plate full in what is expected to be a challenging series in Sri Lanka.
"Absolutely smashing meal at Ministry of Crab last night. Thank you, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara." Virat Kohli's latest tweet on his arrival in Sri Lanka indicated that he is in good spirits heading into the series against Sri Lanka.
Absolutely smashing meal at Ministry of Crab last night. Thank You @MahelaJay and @KumarSanga2 :) pic.twitter.com/MFy5AntNwI
- Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) August 5, 2015
Ahead of the Sri Lanka series, India's aggressive Test captain Kohli had made all the right noises. He stressed on the need to play five bowlers and be on the attack. In a weeks' time, he will be given a chance to execute his words into action.(Dhawan Hails Kohli)
It is strange that for all of Kohli's exploits, this will be his first Test against Sri Lanka. However, the Sri Lankans have been on the receiving end of Kohli's fury in ODIs.(Kohli Has no Problem With BCCI Introducing Code of Ethics)
In 40 ODIs against them, Kohli has scored 1856 runs at an average of over 56 with six centuries and 10 fifties. Each century by Kohli has scarred Sri Lanka in ways by which they have still not recovered. Be it his audacious, unbeaten 133 off 86 balls in Hobart in 2012 or his brutal 139 in Ranchi in 2014, Kohli has hurt Sri Lanka immensely.(Dravid Wants Kohli to Learn From Sehwag)
There is a small problem heading into the series for Kohli. In the last couple of months, he has endured a bit of a lean patch. After his 107 in the World Cup against Pakistan in Adelaide, he managed just 198 runs in the next seven games.(Kohli May Play 5 Bowlers)
In the series against Bangladesh, Kohli scored just 49 runs at an average of 16.33 in the series which India lost the ODI series 2-1. Kohli's lack of runs might concern India slightly and this is the challenge for him when he assumes the mantle at Galle.
Kohli will also be aware that Sri Lanka will want to turn things around desperately. They are down after having lost the Test, ODI and T20I series to Pakistan recently. With Kumar Sangakkara playing his final series, the hosts will be eager to give him a rousing farewell present.(Kohli Will Make it Big: Dravid)
The exit of Sangakkara leaves a massive void in the Sri Lankan team and they have had a glimpse of how difficult their transition will be without the presence of Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.
It is in this environment that Kohli must make a statement of intent. India have not a won an overseas Test for five years and for far too long, they have relied on home comforts. After a good feast, Kohli will realise that captaincy is the beast that can sting him at the wrong time.(Kohli Backs Himself as Test Skipper)