Monty Panesar suggests how Virat Kohli can cause troubles for Joe Root

Hindustan Times
 
Monty Panesar suggests how Virat Kohli can cause troubles for Joe Root

Without a shred of a doubt, England captain Joe Root has been India's biggest hurdle in the ongoing five-match Test series. The right-hander has already smashed two centuries and a fifty in the first four innings. With three more Tests to come, he could become a bigger headache for the visitors. So, what should Virat Kohli do to stop Root's juggernaut? Monty Panesar believes Jasprit Bumrah is the answer.

Even though Root has already scored 386 runs in the series, Bumrah has gotten him out twice, including during England's second innings on Day 5 of the riveting Lord's Test. Hence, former England spinner Panesar believes that Bumrah is India's best bet.

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Panesar also added that India can attack Root early through Bumrah and that Mohammed Siraj is another viable option as he attacks the stumps.

"The way to get him out is to bowl at the fifth stump line and outside the off stump. His wicket was planned by Virat in the second innings and Bumrah executed it well. Virat should again make a plan against Root. Root plays the pull shot really well, so don't bowl short pitch balls to him.

"Virat should bring in Bumrah straightway whenever Root comes to the crease. Both Bumrah and Siraj have the ability to put pressure on a batman from the word go. That's what they did with Root in the second innings and the captain lost his wicket," explained Panesar while speaking to the Times of India.

Concluding his point, the former left-arm spinner remarked that the key to getting Root out is forcing him to change his position as it disturbs his flow, which in turn can result in his wicket.

"You need to frustrate Root and force him to change his position. He likes to bat with a flow. If the flow is not happening, he will change his position and game plan. That's what India would want. That's the way India can get Root out early," Monty Panesar concluded.

After beating England by 151 runs in the second Test, India have a taken 1-0 lead in the series. The third match will begin on August 25 at Headingly, Leeds.