Kohli wasn't the only batsman to struggle in NZ: Hesson
Former New Zealand coach Mike Hesson believes it is unfair to target only Virat Kohli for the batting failure of India in New Zealand. Hesson stated that New Zealand's plans for the Indian captain were spot on throughout the Test series. Kohli was unable to break the deadlock as India were cleaned up 0-2 by the Kiwis in the Test series. Here is more.
"When the ball seams, there is little time to adjust. You need time to adjust your technique. He certainly was not the only one to have struggled. Also, New Zealand's plans for Virat were exceptional. New Zealand have had the best of attacks," Hesson said.
After sweeping New Zealand 5-0 in the T20I series, India were routed in the ODI (0-3) and Test series (0-2). Virat Kohli particularly underwent a lean patch, having mustered only 218 runs in 11 innings across all formats. The 31-year-old averaged 9.50 in the two-match Test series, his worst in an away series. His Test scores read - 3, 14, 2 and 19.
The other marquee batsmen in the Indian batting line-up besides Kohli also faltered against seam and swing. India managed to score over 200 just once in the Test series. Cheteshwar Pujara was the only Indian batsman to touch the 100-run mark across four innings at an average of 25. Prithvi Shaw followed him with 98 runs in as many innings.
Hesson also asserted that the Indian side was the best equipped in the New Zealand tour. "I thought India are probably the best equipped to have travelled to New Zealand, but the conditions were challenging," Hesson told Mumbai Mirror. He added, "They weren't ridiculous in any means, and they were challenging in both games (in the two Tests which India lost)."
